DRUG SUPPLY AND DEMAND

Jack Schwartz's letter in the Dec. 13 "Friday Forum" feature is on the
right track that addiction to illegal drugs should be handled the same way
as addiction to legal drugs. But decriminalization would not bankrupt drug
lords, not unless we also repealed the law of supply and demand.

Decriminalization, as the term is normally used, means that drug users
would not be arrested on criminal charges. Instead, they would be issued a
ticket like a traffic citation, much like the enforcement of Prohibition,
when only bootleggers were arrested. Supply was thus reduced but not
demand, and the illegal market flourished.

The only way to force drug lords into bankruptcy is to take out the profit
by undercutting the street by, for example, selling drugs in state stores,
much as Pennsylvania sells liquor. Then use part of the resulting revenue
to offer free drug treatment and other medical services, as the Swiss have
been doing since 1994.

It is strong medicine, but it is the only thing that will work.

John Chase