DOESN'T FIGHT CRIME BUT FUELS IT

I respectfully disagree with your conclusion that regulation is not the
answer (Editorial, April 21, "Fight drugs, not trade"). A middle-ground
approach is necessary. Taxing and regulating marijuana would separate the
hard and soft drug markets and eliminate the gateway to drugs like cocaine
and heroin.

Establishing strict age controls is critical. Right now, kids have an
easier time buying pot than beer. Drug policies require a harm-reduction
approach minimizing both the negative consequences of drug use and drug laws.

The crime, corruption and overdose deaths attributed to illegal drugs are
all direct results of drug prohibition. With alcohol prohibition repealed,
American liquor producers no longer gun each other down in drive-by
shootings, nor do consumers go blind drinking unregulated bathtub gin.

Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant
only increase the profitability of drug trafficking. In terms of addictive
drugs like heroin, a temporary rise in street prices leads desperate
addicts to increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits.

Make no mistake, the drug war doesn't fight crime; it fuels crime.
Drug-policy reform might send the wrong message to children, but I like to
think the children themselves are more important than the message.
Opportunistic tough-on-drugs politicians would no doubt disagree.

Robert Sharpe, Lindesmith Centre-Drug Policy Foundation, Washington, D.C.