REGULATION, TAXATION COULD BRING DRUG WOES UNDER CONTROL

How long are we going to continue fostering, encouraging, supplementing and
rewarding the fabulously lucrative illegal drug industry by continuously
pouring more and more money, facilities and effort into the fatally flawed
war on drugs?

This archaic, futile program is producing felons and jailbirds at an
unprecedented rate, even exceeding those produced during Prohibition (which
helped spawn the Mafia and Las Vegas). U.S. drug policy produces stupendous
profit incentives even for those not ordinarily into illegal activities.

Some drug lords have incomes exceeding the gross national product of many
nations while our prisons continue to fill up with drug offenders. Yet we
persist in pursuing the impossible task of controlling or destroying the
production of these substances in foreign countries which, almost without
exception, are dependent on the income. Controlling drug cartels are
threatening, even taking over entire governments. It is being proved almost
daily that the importation and domestic production of drugs cannot be
eliminated, since an unlimited supply is available to everyone who can pay
the price, everywhere in our society.

While not necessarily advocating legalization, I am certain that should
these substances be made legal, taxed and regulated (much like alcohol and
cigarettes), that their availability would not increase.

An alternative to our costly yet failing national drug policy should be
introduced. Under the current program, we have absolutely no control over
who can obtain these drugs or their cleanliness, purity or strength.
Illegal drugs often are produced by irresponsible individuals with dirty
hands in unsterile, even polluted facilities. These production techniques
cause many drug-related deaths, beginning with the producers themselves,
who risk dying in fires and explosions. Users of drugs made in this manner
risk AIDS, hepatitis, abscesses, infections like endocarditis (infection of
the lining of the heart), and septicemia, as well as overdose because of
the uncertain strength of the drugs.

Our current drug policy results in untold numbers of destroyed lives and
families, as well as adding enormous stress and costs to our already
overburdened emergency medical, police and social facilities.

Were these drugs to be taxed and regulated, the profit motive for black
market dealers would be reduced and federal revenue increased.
Sterilization techniques and dosage standardization could be developed.
Crime like burglary, murder, gang activity and organized crime would be
reduced. Our prisons would no longer be overflowing with people
incarcerated on drug charges.

I am aware that to some the idea of drug legalization is sacrilege, but do
they have another answer? If so, I would love to hear about it.

Dr. Donald A. Frank is an Amarillo physician.