Pubdate: Sat, 02 Sep 2006 Source: New York Times (NY) Copyright: 2006 The New York Times Company Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1126/a10.html Author: Tom Riley AMERICAN DRUG POLICY To the Editor: Re "Lighting Up in Amsterdam" (column, Aug. 26): John Tierney quotes Peter Cohen, a Dutch researcher and a former director of the Center for Drug Research at the University of Amsterdam, as saying that "drug policy is irrelevant" because America, with strict drug laws, is said to have no less drug use than the free-wheeling Europeans. The facts tell a different story. Consider the rates of current marijuana use by young people here and abroad. No fewer than five European countries with softer drug laws have higher rates of use (while the Dutch experienced a near-tripling of marijuana use by 18- to 20-year-olds after their "coffee shops" began selling pot). Meanwhile, Sweden, which has maintained tough drug policies, has marijuana rates of only 1 percent, a mere fraction of its "progressive" neighbors. Closer to home, Canada, sliding toward decriminalization, experienced a doubling of marijuana use between 1994 and 2004, while the United States witnessed a nearly 20 percent decline among young people between 2001 and 2005. No doubt several variables affect drug use, but one cannot dismiss the impact of effective policies. Tom Riley Communications Director Office of National Drug Control Policy Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake