The involvement of police officers in a large drug ring in Greece has caused a great deal of concern that is well justified, because the example of Latin America demonstrates just how easy it is to lose the war on drugs if authorities do not crack down decisively on all forms of corruption and illegality in the civil service.

Another reason why the state needs to show zero tolerance toward these officers and others like them is that cutbacks in the salaries of uniformed state personnel in the military, the police force, fire service and so on has pushed many to the brink of despair and surely made some consider committing a crime in order to increase their revenues.

These two factors combined should provide enough motivation for the government to find a way to help military, police and other personnel to deal with financial hardships without being tempted to break the law or succumb to corruption.