DRUG POLICY A KILLER

The drug war bears some responsibility for the tragic death of Hudson
teen-ager Samuel Buell. Ecstasy, the drug that led to his untimely death, is
the latest synthetic drug to be making headlines across America, but it
won't be the last. As long as marijuana remains illegal, the established
criminal distribution network will ensure that children sample every new
poison concocted by drug pushers.

Current drug policy is effectively a gateway policy. While there is nothing
inherent in marijuana that compels users to try drugs like ecstasy or
heroin, its black market status puts users in contact with criminals who
push them. These criminals don't ID customers for age either, making it
easier for kids to buy illegal drugs than beer.

Regulation is desperately needed to restrict access to drugs; the so-called
controlled substances sold on the black market are completely out of
control. Maintaining the illegality of a plant that is arguably safer than
alcohol puts children at risk.

Legalizing marijuana for adults would undermine the volatile black market
and seal the gateway to hard drugs provided by existing policy. A strictly
regulated market would also make it significantly more difficult for kids to
buy drugs. This harm-reduction shift may send the "wrong message" to
children, but I like to think that the children themselves are more
important than the message.

ROBERT SHARPE, Students for Sensible Drug Policy-Washington, D.C.