Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jun 2007
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2007 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n708/a02.html?62116
Author: Robert Sharpe

ADMIT DRUG WAR IS FAILING

Regarding John Dunn's June 10 guest opinion, "Meth enslaves the 
children of users," methamphetamine is the latest dangerous drug to 
be making headlines, but it won't be the last until policymakers 
acknowledge the drug war's inherent failure. 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.

As a policy analyst for the organization Common Sense for Drug 
Policy, I can report there are cost-effective alternatives to drug 
war failure. The Netherlands has successfully reduced overall drug 
use by regulating marijuana sales to adults. Dutch rates of drug use 
are lower than U.S. rates in every category. Separating the hard and 
soft drug markets has proved more effective than zero tolerance. 
Because Dutch marijuana consumers do not come into contact with 
sellers of hard drugs like methamphetamine, Dutch rates of hard drug 
use are dramatically lower. By leaving marijuana distribution in the 
hands of international drug cartels, U.S. drug policy effectively 
facilitates hard drug use. Rather than admit to failure, shameless 
tough-on-drugs politicians prefer to blame the plant itself for the 
alleged gateway to hard drugs.

Robert Sharpe

Washington, D.C.
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