Pubdate: Tue, 15 May 2001
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)
Copyright: 2001 St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Contact:  http://home.post-dispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/418
Author: Robert Sharpe, Program Officer, The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy 
Foundation, Washington
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n849/a07.html

CRIME AND DRUGS

Regarding the excellent May 13 editorial on the misguided selection of 
hawkish, supply-side drug warrior John Walters as drug czar, organized 
crime is no doubt very pleased with Bush's nomination. Tough drug laws give 
rise to a lucrative black market in illegal drugs, effectively subsidizing 
organized crime.

The crime, corruption and overdose deaths attributed to drugs are all 
direct results of drug prohibition. With alcohol prohibition repealed, 
liquor producers no longer gun each other down in drive-by shootings, nor 
do consumers go blind drinking unregulated bathtub gin. There are 
cost-effective alternatives to a never ending drug war.

Taxing and regulating marijuana would undermine the black market in illegal 
drugs and allow for much needed age controls.

Illicit marijuana provides the black-market contacts that introduce users 
to drugs like meth and heroin. Closing this gateway is critical.

In Europe, the Netherlands has successfully reduced overall drug use by 
replacing marijuana prohibition with regulation. Dutch rates of drug use 
are significantly lower than U.S. rates in every category.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets and establishing age controls for 
marijuana has proven more effective than zero tolerance. Given that 
marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol -- the plant has never been 
shown to cause an overdose death -- it makes no sense to waste tax dollars 
on failed policies that finance organized crime and facilitate the use of 
hard drugs.

Robert Sharpe, Program Officer, The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy 
Foundation, Washington
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom