THERE IS A DOWN SIDE TO WORK OF TASK FORCE

The work of the Huntington Drug Task Force is no doubt well intended, but
ultimately counterproductive. Forcibly limiting the supply of illegal drugs
while demand remains constant only increases the profitability of drug
trafficking. In terms of addictive drugs such as 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 the $50 billion drug war. There is a big
difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from
drugs. Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use
and frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's
really needed is a regulated market with enforceable age controls. Right
now kids have an easier time buying pot than beer.

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.

Robert Sharpe

Program Officer

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.