Pubdate: Tue, 02 Jul 2002 Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL) Copyright: 2002 The Sun-Times Co. Contact: http://www.suntimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1159/a01.html A LOSING BATTLE Chicago's designation as a federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area ("Laundering of gang drug cash targeted," news story, June 24) is no doubt well-intended, but ultimately counterproductive. So-called drug-related crime is in reality prohibition-related. Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the profitability of drug trafficking. In terms of addictive drugs like heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug war doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime. The burden on taxpayers grows every year as ever more drug offenders are imprisoned. America now has the highest incarceration rate in the world, yet drug use continues unabated as new dealers immediately step in to reap inflated illicit market profits. Let's not kid ourselves about protecting children. Illegal drug dealers don't ID for age, but they do recruit minors immune to adult sentences. Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a cost-effective alternative to the never-ending drug war. There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use and frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's really needed is a regulated market with age controls. Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. Marijuana may be relatively harmless compared with alcohol--pot has never been shown to cause an overdose death--but marijuana prohibition is deadly. As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with hard drugs like cocaine. Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like to think the children themselves are more important than the message. Tough-on-drugs politicians would no doubt disagree. Robert Sharpe, program officer, Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart