Pubdate: Mon, 02 May 2011 Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Copyright: 2011 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc Contact: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n270/a10.html THE DRUG WAR ACTUALLY FUELS CRIME Wednesday's editorial, "Christie blowing smoke on medical marijuana," was quite right. But not only should medical marijuana be made available to patients in need; adult recreational use should also be regulated. 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, either. Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs such as heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to greater criminal activity in order to feed desperate habits. The drug war doesn't fight crime; it fuels crime. Taxing and regulating marjuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a cost-effective alternative to the never-ending drug war. As long as marijuana distribution is contolled by organized crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with hard drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition. Robert Sharpe, MPA Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake