Pubdate: Thu, 16 May 2002
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2002 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Authors: William N. Price, Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n860/a05.html

SCENES FROM THE DRUG WAR

In Colbert I. King's May 4 op-ed column, "Drugs and Crime, Viewed 
 From Behind Bars," "Chris," who is doing time, discussed the effect 
of drug use on crime and made a good case for legalization of drugs 
and treatment of offenders instead of the present policy of "lock up 
the users and go after the suppliers." Mr. King allowed Chris to make 
his case, then disagreed: "Cheap drugs would encourage drug use. We 
have enough problems with alcohol and tobacco."

During Prohibition one could get a drink, but the quality was 
uncertain, and the price was high. Bootleggers were rolling in money 
and controlled powerful gangs. When the high profits went out of the 
business, their empires collapsed.

Most people -- not all, of course -- learned to drink in moderation. 
I much prefer the present system of regulating alcohol to outlawing 
it. Tobacco use is decreasing because of adverse publicity and the 
increase in prices due to tax policies. The drug war has done little 
to decrease supply, but it has enriched the illegal suppliers.

I am disappointed that Mr. King supports organizations in our 
government that have been established or built up to carry on this 
losing battle. They will fight tooth and nail to survive.

WILLIAM N. PRICE
Washington

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Colbert I. King wrote, "Cheap drugs would encourage drug use." But 
that's not what's happening in the Netherlands.

Marijuana is available to adults at local coffeehouses without 
criminal sanctions. The Dutch rate of drug usage is substantially 
lower for all recreational drugs, especially hard drugs such as 
heroin.

KIRK MUSE
Mesa, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Josh