TIME TO REFORM DRUG POLICY

Alabama's hazardous methamphetamine labs are reminiscent of the deadly
exploding liquor stills that sprang up throughout the nation during
alcohol prohibition. Drug policies modeled after alcohol prohibition
have given rise to a youth-oriented black market. Illegal drug dealers
don't ID for age, but they do recruit minors immune to adult
sentences. So much for protecting the children.

Throwing more money at the problem is no solution. Attempts to limit
the supply of drugs while demand remains constant only increase the
profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs like
methamphetamine, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to
increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug war
doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a
cost-effective alternative to the never-ending drug war. As long as
marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime,
consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard
drugs like methamphetamine. This "gateway" is the direct result of a
fundamentally flawed policy.

Drug-policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like
to think the children are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe Policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.