TIME FOR POLICY CHANGE

Re: May 6 editorial "Drug war needs a new direction":

So much political capital has been invested in the drug war that few
politicians are willing to acknowledge the collateral damage. Drug policies
modeled after our disastrous alcohol prohibition have given rise to a
youth-oriented black market.

There are cost-effective alternatives. In Europe, the Netherlands has
successfully reduced drug use by replacing marijuana prohibition with
regulation. Dutch rates of drug use are significantly lower than U.S.
rates. Separating the hard and soft drug markets and establishing age
controls for marijuana has proven more effective than zero tolerance.

Illegal marijuana provides the black market contacts that introduce users
to drugs such as heroin. Politicians need to stop worrying about the
message drug policy reform sends to children and start thinking about the
children themselves.

ROBERT SHARPE

Program Officer
Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation
Washington, D.C.