Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n894/a05.html

ON ALTERNATIVE TO DRUG WAR

Regarding "Bad choice for drub czar" (Editorial, May 18) on the misguided
appointment of hawkish drug warrior John Walters as drug czar: Organized
crime is no doubt very pleased with the nomination. Tough drug laws give
rise to a lucrative black market in illegal drugs, effectively subsidizing
organized crime. The crime, corruption, and overdose deaths attributed to
drugs are all direct results of drug prohibition.

With alcohol prohibition repealed, liquor producers no longer gun each down
in drive-by shootings, nor do consumers go blind drinking unregulated
bathtub gin. Drug policies should strive to undermine the volatile black
market. Taxing and regulating marijuana is a cost-effective alternative to
spending tens of billions annually on a failed drug war.

Robert Sharpe, Washington, D.C., May 19