Pubdate: Thu, 19 Apr 2012
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Author: Jim Land

DRUG ENFORCEMENT AN ABJECT FAILURE

In "Legalizing drugs" (Opinion, April 13), George Will correctly says,
"Criminalization drives the cost of" drugs. He cites that a $2,000
kilo of Colombian cocaine retails for $100,000 in America. In other
words, cartels get rich because drugs are illegal.

He wonders whether enforcement can substantially affect price at the
same time that he offers proof that it does not. In fact, he says that
enforcement has resulted in "The prices of cocaine and heroin are 80
percent to 90 percent lower than 30 years ago." Enforcement has failed.

He asks, "Would the public health problems resulting from legalization
be a price worth paying?" Drug overuse/addiction is a health problem,
not a criminal one. It's time to start treating it as such.
Enforcement as an effective tool is a complete and abject failure.

Today, according to a recent Gallup Poll, 50 percent of Americans
favor legalizing marijuana while only 46 percent oppose it.

Legalize marijuana. It's time.

Jim Land, Chula Vista
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