CHANGE DRUG POLICIES

To the Editor:

March 8, 2002

Frank Powell (Letters, March 2), mocks the idea of lowering crime by
decriminalizing drug use. As he points out, decriminalization of any
currently illegal activity would lower crime due to the simple fact there
would be one less crime people are committing. However, this is not the
point of Redford Given's letter.

There is much money being made in the drug trade -- this is why gangs and
organized crime fight to control distribution. Barely a day goes by when
someone isn't killed in a shoot-out that stemmed from a drug-related turf
war. Decriminalization or outright legalization would take the money out of
the drug trade, making it unprofitable for organized crime, and safer for
the rest of us.

Many people have pointed out that users do commit crimes, most often theft,
to support their habits. This happens because drug prices are kept
artificially high due to the black market. Eliminating the black market
would drop the prices, making it unnecessary for people to steal to support
habits.

Our policies are increasing crime, and changing them is the surest way to
lower crime.

Ari Elias-Bachrach

President Washington University Students for Sensible Drug Policy St.
Louis, Mo.