Pubdate: Sat, 2 Mar 2002 Source: Clarksdale Press Register (MS) Copyright: 2002, Clarksdale Press Register Contact: http://www.pressregister.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1656 Author: Robert Sharpe DRUG WAR ISN'T WORKING, SAYS DECRIMINALIZATION ADVOCATE Dear Editor: The work of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics is no doubt well-intended but ultimately counterproductive ("Area police departments coordinate war on drugs," Wednesday, Feb. 20). Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increases the profitability of drug trafficking. In terms of addictive drugs like heroin, a rise 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 drug war's burden on taxpayers gets higher every year as ever more drug users and dealers are imprisoned for consensual vices. Drug use continues unabated as new dealers immediately step in to reap inflated illicit market profits. And 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 $50 billion 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. Right now kids have an easier time buying pot than beer. Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. Marijuana may be relatively harmless compared to alcohol - the plant 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. Robert Sharpe, Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, DC 20008-2328 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom