Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jul 2008
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2008 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10
Author: Harry Hodges

OUR WAR ON DRUGS WAS LOST LONG AGO

RE: "Is the war on Drugs Worth What it Costs?" commentary by Dick Minzner

I am firmly convinced that the so-called war on drugs was lost long ago and
that regulation of the illegal drug market is the only practical solution.
Various studies point to an inelastic demand for illegal drugs. In essence,
such studies indicate that some demand exists regardless of efforts to
decrease supply. The illegal drug market involves a lot of money. Estimates
of the retail market in the United States indicate about $80 billion
annually - in line with what is spent to control that market. Sadly, as
costs to control the market have risen, the price and availability of
illegal drugs appears to have improved. The production costs of illegal
drugs have been estimated at about 1/100th the retail cost - meaning there
are huge profits in illegal drug sales. These huge profits create the chaos
now occurring on our borders and to some extent on our streets. The profits
make corruption possible at all levels of enforcement. It would almost seem
that if governments bought all the illegal drugs at the producer level, it
would be less expensive and reduce profits going to drug distributors. ...
It would be refreshing to actually see our politicians discuss these issues.
The various political organizations appear to insist that law and order must
prevail in spite of evidence suggesting that enforcement-only has been
ineffective.

Harry Hodges

Albuquerque
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