Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jan 2013
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2013 Zachary Greenberg
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Author: Zachary Greenberg
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n013/a04.html
Note: 1st of 5 Responses to this OPED: 
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n013/a04.html

CAN DRUG LEGALIZATION END THE DESTRUCTION OF LIVES?

Perhaps the real paradox of the war on drugs ("Have We Lost the War on
Drugs?" by Gary S. Becker and Kevin M. Murphy, Review, Jan. 5) is how
those who profit most from the drug trade have the largest incentive
to perpetuate the illegality of their product. Although commonly
dubbed the "black market," the drug trade is far from a traditional
market system, as competition is based on territorial rights,
corruption and brute force as well as supply and demand. As a result,
those who control this lucrative industry seek to keep the system in
place rather than see it destroyed by the ruthless efficiency of the
free market.

A combination of tough-on-crime politicians, law-enforcement
officials, social conservatives and drug cartels form an unlikely
coalition set on perpetuating a system that maximizes the profit of
criminals while destroying any legitimate competition.

And we all suffer because of it.

Zachary Greenberg

Saint James, N.Y.
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