DRUGS IN THE DISTRICT

Drug dealing in the District will never be eliminated as long as
financial incentives remain for engaging in criminal activity.

Police efforts to limit supply while demand remains constant only
increase the profitability of drug dealing.

Increasing penalties is not the answer.

According to the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives, 50
percent of 18- to 35-year-old African American men in the District are
under court supervision or are sought on arrest warrants.

Let's make sure that ample treatment options exist before putting more
black men behind bars.

I disagree with police who claim that lax marijuana laws pose a
problem, especially if such laws mean that dealers choose not to sell
harder drugs. Penalties for a drug should be commensurate with its
potential for abuse. Existing drug laws do far more harm to the
District than marijuana ever could.

ROBERT SHARPE
Washington