NCJ Number
114340
Date Published
1988
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This document presents the transcript of a national television and radio discussion of the medical, cultural, political, and criminal justice implications of legalizing marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs.
Abstract
Participants included the Commissioner of the United States Customs Service, a syndicated columnist, the mayor of Baltimore, academicians, the chairperson of the United States House Narcotics Committee, a staff member of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a medical editor, and the deputy superintendent of the California schools. A live audience and listeners also commented on the issues. Kurt Schmoke, mayor of Baltimore urged listeners to heed the lessons of Prohibition and treat drugs as a national health problem rather than as a crime problem. Another speaker argued that legalizing drugs would destroy society. A physician noted that crack cocaine reaches the brain almost instantly and is highly addictive. A newsclipping was cited that commented that political candidates who support decriminalization of drugs are not likely to win elections. Others argued that comparing drugs with cigarettes and alcohol is inappropriate, both because some drugs are more deadly than tobacco and alcohol and because legalization of them has failed. Others argued that addiction and use will increase sharply with legalization, because criminal organizations that now sell drugs will continue to do so and will be competing with the government. Other points discussed included the issue of mixed messages, the differences between soft drugs and hard drugs, the legalization of hashish and marijuana sales in the Netherlands, and the costs and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.