Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jan 2001
Source: Idaho State Journal (ID)
Copyright: 2001 Idaho State Journal
Contact:  PO Box 431, Pocatello ID 83204
Fax: 208-233-8007
Website: http://www.journalnet.com/
Author: Robert Sharpe

SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR DRUGS

Regarding the excellent Jan. 21st editorial on drug policy, there are 
cost-effective alternatives to the drug war. The current approach is 
counterproductive. Numerous studies have found that prison transmits 
violent habits rather than reduces them. Most non-violent drug offenders 
are eventually released, with dismal job prospects due to criminal records. 
Rather than waste resources turning potentially productive members of 
society who use drugs into hardened criminals, we should be funding 
cost-effective treatment. At an average cost of $25,071 per inmate 
annually, maintaining the world's largest prison system can hardly be 
considered fiscally conservative.

As far as organized crime is concerned, alcohol was very much associated 
with organized crime until Prohibition was repealed in 1933. With no 
controls for age, the thriving black market is very much youth-oriented. 
Sensible regulation is desperately needed to undermine the black market and 
restrict access to drugs. As counterintuitive as it may seem, replacing 
marijuana prohibition with regulation would do a better job protecting 
children than the drug war.

Compared to legal alcohol, marijuana is relatively harmless. Yet marijuana 
prohibition is deadly. Although there is nothing inherent in marijuana that 
compels users to try hard drugs like meth, its black market status puts 
users in contact with criminals who push them. Current drug policy is 
effectively a gateway policy.

In Europe, the Netherlands has managed to greatly reduce overall drug use 
by separating the hard and soft drug markets and establishing controls for 
age. Unfortunately for Americans, our leaders are more prone to preaching 
than pragmatism.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

program officer

The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation,

Washington, DC
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart