DRUG POLICY FAILURE

Re: Your recent methamphetamine editorial.

Methamphetamine is the latest synthetic drug to make headlines in
Idaho and elsewhere, but it won't be the last. America's drug policy
is a complete failure when it comes to protecting children.

In fact, current drug policy is a gateway policy.

As the most popular illicit drug, marijuana provides the black market
connections that introduce pot smokers to hard drugs like
methamphetamine. While there is nothing inherent in the marijuana
plant that compels users to try deadly drugs, its black market status
puts users in contact with criminals who sell them. Just as disturbing
is the manner in which children have an easier time purchasing
marijuana than beer. While a liquor store will refuse to sell alcohol
to a minor to avoid losing its license, a drug dealer will sell to
anyone. As long as marijuana remains illegal, the established criminal
distribution network will ensure that America's children can sample
every new poison concocted by drug pushers.

Given that marijuana is increasingly recognized as being safer than
alcohol or tobacco - it is impossible to die from a marijuana overdose
- - why not end marijuana prohibition? The answer, of course, is culture.

The marijuana leaf represents the counterculture to those Americans
who would like to turn the clock back to the 1950s. This misguided
culture war has gone on long enough.

As counterintuitive as it may seem, legalizing marijuana would both
limit access and separate the hard and soft drug markets which serve
to introduce youth to the truly deadly drugs.

Robert Sharpe
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
George Washington University
Washington