Pubdate: Tue, 10 Dec 2002
Source: Fayetteville Observer-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Fayetteville Observer-Times
Contact:  http://www.fayettevillenc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

ESTABLISH AGE CONTROLS FOR MARIJUANA USE

North Carolina's hazardous methamphetamine labs are reminiscent of the 
deadly exploding liquor stills that sprang up throughout the nation during 
alcohol prohibition. Drug policies modeled after alcohol prohibition have 
given rise to a youth-oriented black market. Illegal drug dealers don't ID 
for age, but they do recruit minors immune to adult sentences. So much for 
protecting the children.

Throwing more money at the problem is no solution. 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 meth, 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.

There are cost-effective alternatives. In Europe, the Netherlands has 
successfully reduced overall drug use by replacing marijuana prohibition 
with adult 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 a 
never-ending drug war.

In the United States, marijuana provides the black market contacts that 
introduce consumers to addictive drugs like meth. This "gateway" is the 
direct result of a fundamentally flawed policy. Unlike alcohol, marijuana 
has never been shown to cause an overdose death, nor does it share the 
addictive properties of tobacco. Marijuana may be relatively harmless, but 
marijuana prohibition is deadly.

Robert Sharpe, Program officer, Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, D.C. 
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