Pubdate: Sun, 30 Jan 2005
Source: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram (WI)
Copyright: 2005 Eau Claire Press
Contact:  http://www.leadertelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/236
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

POT LAWS FUEL METH PROBLEM

Wisconsin's 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.

Throwing more money at the problem is no solution. Attempts to limit the 
supply of drugs while demand remains constant only increase the 
profitability of trafficking. For addictive drugs like meth, a spike in 
street prices leads desperate addicts to increase criminal activity to feed 
desperate habits. The drug war doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a 
cost-effective alternative to never-ending drug war. As long as marijuana 
distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will 
continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like meth. This 
"gateway" is the direct result of a fundamentally flawed policy. Given that 
marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol - the plant has never been 
shown to cause an overdose death - it makes no sense to waste tax dollars 
on failed policies that finance organized crime and facilitate the use of 
hard drugs.

Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but the children 
are more important than the message.

ROBERT SHARPE

Policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth