GET TOUGH ON DRUGS

This is in reference to the Saturday, June 8, Summit Daily News story about
the juvenile who was arrested for allegedly possessing amphetamines. Gov.
Bill Owens' tough-on-drugs response to the methamphetamine epidemic is a
very real threat to public safety. Colorado's hazardous methamphetamine
labs are reminiscent of the deadly exploding liquor stills that sprung 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 drug trafficking. In terms of 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. There is a big
difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from
drugs. Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. Marijuana may
be relatively harmless compared to alcohol - pot has never been shown to
cause an overdose death - but marijuana prohibition is deadly. As long as
marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers
will continue to come into contact with hard drugs like meth. Drug policy
reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like to think the
children themselves are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.

Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C .