Pubdate: Thu, 22 Mar 2001
Source: Herald American (NY)
Copyright: 2001, Syracuse Herald American
Contact:  P.O. Box 4915, Syracuse, N.Y. 13221-4915
Website: http://www.syracuse.com/
Forum: http://www.syracuse.com/forums/
Author: Mark D. Blum
Note: Mark Blum is a Fayetteville attorney.

THE DRUG WAR SHOULD END

By The Numbers, It Has Been A Colossal Failure

According to 2000 Annual Report, National Drug Control Strategy issued by 
the Office of National Drug Control Policy, disclosed proudly under the 
signatures of President Bill Clinton and then-Director of National Drug 
Control Policy, "Czar" Gen. Barry McCaffrey, the following is the 
achievement of this nation's drug war for the past 10 years:

For the period 1991-1999: The percentage of households reporting the use of 
any illegal drug during the previous month was up.

Eighth graders, 10th graders and 12th graders reporting the use of any drug 
during the previous month was up. Marijuana use was up. First-time 
marijuana use almost doubled from 1991 to 1998. The average age for 
first-time use dropped from 17.8 years to 17.1 years. Meanwhile, the price 
of marijuana has fallen significantly during the same period. Federal 
marijuana seizures during the same period are up several thousand percent.

First-time cocaine users for the period 1991 to 1997 nearly doubled. The 
average age of a first-time user dropped from 21.5 years to 20.3 years of 
age. Current cocaine use shows a slight decrease. The average price for 
cocaine has dropped significantly. Of particular note is that cocaine 
purity has also diminished, which shows the singular impact of the drug 
war. It also accounts for the increase in emergency room visits. Federal 
cocaine seizures during the same period of time were up slightly.

Heroin use records a huge jump from 1991 to 1998. First-time users went up 
60 percent, and the average age for a first-time heroin user dropped from 
24.6 years of age in 1991 to 17.6 years of age in 1997. The average price 
of heroin has dropped and the purity levels are growing. Meanwhile, federal 
heroin seizures have dropped since 1991.

The same trends are reported with methamphetamines, Ecstasy and inhalants: 
Use is skyrocketing, prices are dropping, the average age is dropping and 
federal seizures are up.

By comparison, the numbers for youth and alcohol show that from 1996 to 
1999, there has been no change in the use of alcohol in the prior month by 
eighth, 10th, and 12th graders. Likewise, the number of 8th, 10th and 12th 
graders who had five-plus drinks in the previous month remained unchanged. 
Clearly, the drug war has not had an impact on youth and drinking.

To the credit of public education and not the criminal justice system, 
attitudes toward cigarettes are changing. Eighth and 10th graders show a 
slight decrease in cigarette use, while 12th graders' use remained 
constant. Use of steroids by eighth, 10th and 12th graders skyrocketed 
during this same period of time.

Don't take my word for it. The government has made it clear. For the money 
being spent, the price society is paying and the huge industry that has 
arisen around it, the drug war is a colossal failure. Of late, the only 
defenders of the Drug War are those whose income is dependent on it.

I say, end the Drug War. Declare a full and complete amnesty. It is time to 
rethink our entire prohibition policy. Prohibition has never worked. It 
never will.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager