DRUG WAR SHOULD BE FOUGHT DIFFERENTLY

The police chief of Salina is wasting his time appealing to federal drug
warriors for help fighting the meth epidemic. Throwing more money at the
problem is not the 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 such as meth, a rise in street
prices leads desperate addicts to increase criminal activity to feed
desperate habits. The drug war doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime.

Kansas' hazardous methamphetamine labs are reminiscent of the deadly
exploding liquor stills that sprang 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.

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 age controls. Right now kids have
an easier time buying pot than beer. More disturbing is the manner in which
marijuana's illegal status exposes users to sellers of hard drugs.
Marijuana may be relatively harmless compared to legal alcohol - the plant
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.

ROBERT SHARPE

Program Officer - Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.