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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart