Pubdate: Sat, 06 Aug 2005
Source: Duluth News-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2005 Duluth News-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/553
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1202/a06.html

DRUG WAR IS WORSE THAN THE DRUGS THEMSELVES

Regarding Ronald Fraser's thoughtful July 29th op-ed, "Enforcing marijuana
laws wastes time, money," the drug war is a cure that's worse than the
disease.

Attempts to limit the supply of drugs while demand remains constant only
increase the profitability of trafficking. For 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.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a
cost-effective alternative to a 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. 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

ARLINGTON, VA.

The writer is a policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy in
Washington, D.C. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh