Pubdate: Thu, 31 Oct 2002
Source: Valley News Dispatch (PA)
Copyright: 2002 The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2285
Author: Chuck Biedka

ANTI-DRUG BOSS URGES STUDENTS TO JOIN FIGHT

HARRISON: The nation's youth can play an important role in fighting illegal 
drugs even as the nation spends billions of tax dollars in the effort, the 
nation's chief anti-drug officer told Highlands High School students Wednesday.

"You want to be treated as adults. This is a way to show responsibility," 
said John Walters, who directs the White House Office of National Drug 
Control Policy.

"At a party, step up. Tell friends or siblings not to use drugs. And if 
they are using them, tell them they need help and offer to help them get 
that help," he said.

Walters was a guest of U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart, R- Bradford Woods, who has 
held several anti-drug meetings across her district. Hart is seeking 
re-election Tuesday against Democrat Stevan Drobac.

Walters refuses to call himself the nation's drug czar, as his position is 
commonly referred.

"We don't have czars in this country," he said. "People have fought and 
died so we don't have that system."

During his talk, Walters returned again and again to the theme of civic 
responsibility as the reason students should speak up about drugs and how 
they can make a difference.

Drug addiction is a national problem fought at the local level day by day, 
while the federal government tries to stop the smuggling of drugs such as 
heroin and cocaine into the country.

"Don't look the other way," Walters said, before fielding a handful of 
questions from estimated 900 students.

Asked by a female student if Ritalin should be pulled from the market 
because the legal drug is being misused, Walters said no. Citizens should 
have access to the medicine they need, he said.

Why, one student asked, is alcohol legal, but marijuana isn't? The question 
was cheered by some students at a time when a few states are considering 
lessening the penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana, or for 
medical use.

Alcohol is legal for adults, Walters said, adding that all alcoholics o 
juveniles and adults o need treatment. He noted that alcohol is the cause 
of many car crashes and it's often present during crimes.

At the same time, Walters said, 60 percent of the nation's 6 million drug 
addicts are addicted to marijuana. There are estimates that 20 percent of 
the drivers involved in accidents are impaired by marijuana and other 
drugs, Walters said.

"It's a matter of responsibility," said Walters, who has directed the 
office since December.

Walters said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks showed people risking 
and giving their lives for other people.

"You may never walk into a burning building, or serve on the battlefield, 
or defend someone as a law-enforcement officer," Walters said. "(But) 
opposing drugs is a way to do something that benefits fellow citizens. 
Otherwise, more and more families will be devastated by addicted loved ones 
who often die," he said.

Walters said an estimated 16 million Americans use drugs and 6 million are 
drug dependent.

About 25 percent of the nation's 6 million addicted people are youths, and 
that's unprecedented, he said.

"And half of the 6 million deny they have a problem," he said.

"It usually begins with a lie from a peer, or from one of your classmates, 
or possibly a sibling. 'It's fun. You can handle it.'

You realize it's a lie when its too late," he said.

In response to a question from another female student, Walters said 
marijuana isn't harmless even though Ohio, Nevada and Arizona will conduct 
votes this year to legalize it.

Marijuana causes drug dependency and it can lead to other drug use, he said.

"Instead of 16 million, how would you like to have 55 million addicted and 
120 million using? That's what's wrong with legalization," he said.

After the assembly, Hart and Walters listened to comments and requests from 
police and rehabilitation specialists and U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan.

Walters said drug testing is the "single most effective thing" that can be 
done locally, but he said each community must decide if it will take that step.

Walters' office has started conversations with Blue Cross and Blue Shield 
about insurance coverage for addicts. Other conversations are planned 
within the industry.

Walters also announced he will meet next week with officials of land grant 
colleges and universities to urge them to enforce drug policies that each 
must have in place to receive federal funding. Penn State is one such college.

"We want to ask for help first," he said. "Then we will seek enforcement."

Walters was impassioned during the talk because his boss, President George 
W. Bush, is setting the standard.

"The president is making this a test of the effectiveness of his 
administration," he said.

Bush has said he wants illegal drug use decreased by 10 percent in one year 
and by 25 percent within five years.

"That's ambitious," Walters said, "but we can do it."
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