WAR ON DRUGS DRIVES UP PRICES

In his article (Public attitude keeps drug trade alive, Jan. 14)
Bruce Owen writes that "the drug war goes on because of the huge
amount that can be made by traffickers and dealers."

Historical evidence clearly shows that the profitability of selling
illicit drugs is an effect of the war on drugs (i.e., drug
prohibition), rather than its cause. It is because of the drug war
that a huge amount can be made by traffickers and dealers.

As an example, the production and sale of alcohol was prohibited in
the United States from 1921-1933, the demand for this substance
remained high. As a result, alcohol was available on the black-market,
but at prices substantially greater than before prohibition.

By driving up the price of prohibited substances, the war on drugs
actually makes it worthwhile for individuals and criminal syndicates
to take the risk of importing, producing, and/or selling those very
substances.

The adoption of alternatives to the war on drugs (e.g.,
decriminalization, regulated distribution, supplying drugs at low or
no cost to dependent persons, etc.) will have a number of beneficial
effects, not the least of which is depriving organized criminals of a
lucrative source of income.

Jay Goldstein

Winnipeg