FOR WHAT AILS YOU

Dear Editor,

Not only should medical marijuana be made available to patients in need
(News To Us, #5.14, 4/2/03), but recreational use should be taxed and
regulated as well (News To Us, #5.10, 3/5/03). The very same tough-on-drugs
politicians who claim a desire to keep drugs out of the hands of children
have abdicated that responsibility to organized crime. Drug policies
modeled after alcohol prohibition have given rise to a youth-oriented black
market. Illegal drug dealers don't ID for age. So much for protecting the
children.

Throwing more money at the drug problem is no solution. Attempts to limit
the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the
profitability of drug trafficking. In terms of addictive drugs like heroin,
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.

There are cost-effective alternatives to the never-ending drug war. In
Europe, the Netherlands has successfully reduced overall drug use by
replacing marijuana prohibition with adult regulation. Dutch rates of drug
use are significantly lower than US rates in every category. Separating the
hard and soft drug markets and establishing age controls for marijuana has
proven more effective than zero tolerance.

Sincerely,

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, DC