Pubdate: Mon, 21 May 2001 Source: Houston Chronicle (TX) Copyright: 2001 Houston Chronicle Contact: http://www.chron.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/198 Author: Jerry Epstein Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab (Treatment) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n882/a07.html OUTSIDE 'BOX' OF ADDICTION Thanks to the Chronicle for the splendid May 17 editorial, "Endless War; Middle ground between drug legalization and prison." One insightful comment followed another. The editorial called for a useful middle ground between legalization and zero tolerance. Indeed. That middle ground is extremely broad and covers dozens of options. We can test it by allowing and encouraging states to return to their traditional role as "the laboratories of democracy." We need an independent federal commission on drug policy and similar state commissions to give the public facts and policy suggestions that are not derived from some legislators' views of political expediency or the campaign contributions of narrow special-interest groups. You correctly note that stopping the drug supply is impossible and that, "final victory can never be won." This implies the continuation of a $400 billion-a-year market controlled by our worst enemies (the drug lords), whose profits have grown because of their ability to make the drug problem worse. If we shifted one or two drugs to yet another middle ground, we could experiment on a low level with alternate regulatory structures that remove the supply control of those drugs from the drug lords. We must test growing evidence that the ongoing battle against drug abuse can be fought more effectively without fighting the wealth, power and promotional actions of the drug lords at the same time. The aim, as the editorial said, is to redeem the sinners, not to destroy their lives. Thank you for an editorial that encourages all of us to "think outside the box." Jerry Epstein, president, Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Houston - --- MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe