Pubdate: Tue, 12 Jul 2005
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2005 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Author: John Chase
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG PROFITS

Regarding your July 3 editorial "A way to curb meth abuse": Why must 
we now decide whether to restrict the sale of cold medicines because 
some might be used to manufacture methamphetamine?

The reason is our failed antidrug policy: drug prohibition.

When I was a teen, amphetamine was sold over-the-counter for pennies 
to students to cram for their exams, dieting housewives and long-haul 
truckers. It now sells on the street as "meth" for more than $2,000 
per ounce, and "meth labs" endanger our kids and the environment.

When we first took it off the shelves, its price rose. That didn't 
work, so we criminalized it. That drove its price sky high and rogue 
entrepreneurs got into the business. That isn't working either. And 
it is not just amphetamine.

For the past 30 years, this profit escalation has happened to drug 
after drug after drug. Worse yet, the huge profit margin drives rogue 
chemists to design new drugs, make it big, then get out before the 
DEA catches on.

The solution is to take out the profit. Regulate all drugs in a legal 
market and use part of their tax revenue to offer treatment to all 
who ask. Not a perfect solution, but better than what we have today.

John Chase

Palm Harbor
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MAP posted-by: Beth