DRUG LAWS DON'T WORK

Virginia's hazardous methamphetamine labs are reminiscent of the deadly
exploding liquor stills that sprang up 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 a 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.

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

Arlington, Va.