REFORM POLICIES TO AX METH PROBLEM

Oklahoma'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 illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the
profitability of trafficking. For addictive drugs like meth, 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 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 meth.

Given that marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol -- the plant has
never been shown to cause an overdose death -- it makes no sense to waste
tax dollars on failed policies that finance organized crime and facilitate
the use of hard drugs. 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, Washington