METH LABS A REMINDER OF EXPLODING LIQUOR STILLS

Re: Editorial, "Small towns no escape from illegal drug," Feb. 12: The
hazardous methamphetamine labs of central Illinois are reminiscent of the
deadly exploding liquor stills that sprung up throughout the United States
during alcohol prohibition. Meth is the latest dangerous drug to be making
headlines, but it won't be the last until policymakers acknowledge the drug
war's inherent failure. 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
never-ending 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.

At present 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 - 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.