Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 Source: Columbia Daily Tribune (MO) Copyright: 2001 Columbia Daily Tribune Contact: 101 North 4th Street, P.O. Box 798 Columbia, MO 65205 Feedback: http://www.showmenews.com/forms/formletter.htm Website: http://www.showmenews.com/ Author: Robert Sharpe, program officer, Lindesmith Center - Drug Policy Foundation, 4455 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. FAILED WAR ON DRUGS FEEDS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY Editor, the Tribune: Robert Maginnis Jan. 9 column discusses the pitfalls of drug legalization but fails to consider anything other than total, all-out legalization. This is misleading. I dont think anyone in the drug policy reform movement wants to see advertisements calling upon TV viewers to run down to the convenience store to buy heroin. As for Maginnis apparent inability to understand the relationship between drug prohibition and crime, perhaps I can help. When a supply of illegal drugs is successfully limited while demand remains constant, drug-trafficking becomes more profitable. The obscene profits to be made guarantee replacement dealers. For addictive drugs, a temporary drop in supply leads to higher street prices, which means desperate addicts increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits. Those who get caught are placed in prisons that serve to transmit violent habits rather than reduce them. The drug war fuels crime while failing miserably at preventing use. Children are especially vulnerable. With no controls for age, the black market is very much youth-oriented. There are sensible alternatives to the drug war. Replacing marijuana prohibition with regulation would do a better job of protecting children than the failed drug war. Marijuana is the most popular illicit drug. Compared to legal alcohol, marijuana is relatively harmless. Yet marijuana prohibition is deadly. Although there is nothing inherent in marijuana that compels users to try harder drugs, its black market status puts users in contact with criminals who push them. Current drug policy is effectively a gateway policy. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck