Pubdate: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2004 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Jay Goldstein Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n092/a01.html WAR ON DRUGS DRIVES UP PRICES In his article (Public attitude keeps drug trade alive, Jan. 14) Bruce Owen writes that "the drug war goes on because of the huge amount that can be made by traffickers and dealers." Historical evidence clearly shows that the profitability of selling illicit drugs is an effect of the war on drugs (i.e., drug prohibition), rather than its cause. It is because of the drug war that a huge amount can be made by traffickers and dealers. As an example, the production and sale of alcohol was prohibited in the United States from 1921-1933, the demand for this substance remained high. As a result, alcohol was available on the black-market, but at prices substantially greater than before prohibition. By driving up the price of prohibited substances, the war on drugs actually makes it worthwhile for individuals and criminal syndicates to take the risk of importing, producing, and/or selling those very substances. The adoption of alternatives to the war on drugs (e.g., decriminalization, regulated distribution, supplying drugs at low or no cost to dependent persons, etc.) will have a number of beneficial effects, not the least of which is depriving organized criminals of a lucrative source of income. Jay Goldstein Winnipeg - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin