Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jun 2002
Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL)
Copyright: 2002 Tallahassee Democrat.
Contact:  http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444
Author: ROBERT SHARPE

ECSTASY: BATHTUB GIN OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Re: "More traffic wrecks blamed on Ecstasy" (news article, June 21).

Ecstasy is the latest illegal drug to be making headlines, but it won't be 
the last. Drug policies modeled after alcohol prohibition have given rise 
to a youth-oriented black market. Illegal drug dealers do not ID for age, 
but they do push trendy "club drugs," regardless of the dangers posed.

The ecstasy variant known as PMA that has been taking the lives of Florida 
youth is today's version of prohibition-era bathtub gin. The overdose 
victims thought they were buying ecstasy, but the black market has no 
controls. The drug war fails miserably at its primary mandate: protecting 
children from drugs.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a 
cost-effective alternative. There is a big difference between condoning 
marijuana use and protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization 
acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use. What's really needed is a 
regulated market with age controls.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as marijuana 
distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will 
continue to come into contact with hard drugs. Drug policy reform may send 
the wrong message to children, but I like to think the children themselves 
are more important than the message.

ROBERT SHARPE

Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens