Reducing addiction is the key to reducing violence

Like any other business, the drug trade in Baltimore is based on supply and demand (“Baltimore’s deadly May,” June1).

Presently, the demand is so great that at least three major gangs are fighting a violent turf war to control the distribution and sale of drugs. That war that is the direct cause of the marked increase in lethal violence in Baltimore over the last three months. The key to reducing the violence is to reduce the number of addicts.

Using drugs is a choice. Not using drugs is also a choice. Only when folks make the healthy choice will the violence that plagues this city be reduced in a meaningful way.

Marc Raim, Baltimore