Pubdate: Sun, 25 Feb 2007
Source: Florida Today (Melbourne, FL)
Copyright: 2007 Florida Today
Contact:  http://www.flatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/532
Note: Does not accept out of town LTEs on drug policy
Author: Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

WAR AGAINST DRUGS IS FUELING CRIME

Florida's hazardous methamphetamine labs are reminiscent of the 
deadly exploding liquor stills that sprang up 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.

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 drug 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.

Robert Sharpe

Common Sense for Drug Policy

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