Pubdate: Tue, 05 Apr 2005
Source: Greenwood Commonwealth (MS)
Copyright: 2005 Greenwood Commonwealth
Contact:  http://www.gwcommonwealth.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1541
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n544/a01.html

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA COULD REDUCE METH USE

In response to your Mar. 29 editorial ("Meth epidemic endangers children"):

Mississippi'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. For 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.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a 
cost-effective alternative to never-ending drug war. As long as marijuana 
distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will 
continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like meth. This 
"gateway" is the direct result of a fundamentally flawed policy.

Given that marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol - the plant has 
never been shown to cause an overdose death - it makes no sense to waste 
tax dollars on failed policies that finance organized crime and facilitate 
the use of hard drugs. Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to 
children, but I like to think the children are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington