Ever since the Reagan administration initiated its “war on drugs” three years ago, Nancy Reagan has been in the thick of the battle.
Last week, she was on hand to congratulate members of the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth, a group she helped launch three years ago, at its annual conference just outside Washington, D.C.
“I am so happy with the dramatic growth of parents’ groups,” Ms. Reagan told the 500 conference participants. “In three short years, the numbers have grown from 1,000 to 4,000. There are few things more gratifying than knowing that your efforts and good intentions are bearing fruit.”
Mrs. Reagan thanked the group for dedicating its speakers’ bureau to her. The bureau provides parents’ groups with access to drug-abuse-prevention experts who are avail-able for speaking engagements in local communities. She also updated participants on “The Chemical People” project, a television drug-awareness campaign featuring two one-hour special programs that will be aired by 200 public television stations in November.
Other Administration officials spoke during the conference, including William Webster, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Carlton Turner, special assistant to the President for drug-abuse policy.
Private-Sector Initiatives
Mr. Turner discussed private-sector initiatives for drug-abuse prevention that have had White House support during the past year.
“NBC’s ‘Don’t be a Dope’ campaign exemplifies the media’s changing attitude in showing concern over drug abuse,” he said. Mr. Turner mentioned the National Association of Independent Insurers’ new educational film, “Just Along for the Ride,” and the anti-drug campaign of a group called Pharmacists Against Drug Abuse Campaign, which enlists actor Michael Landon as its spokesman and distributes information on drug abuse through local pharmacists.
Both Mr. Turner and Mr. Webster talked about the “enforcement accomplishments” of the Reagan administration.
“Gone are the days when someone could say that there is not commitment on the part of the government, or that the bad guys have better equipment. How many bad guys do you know of that have an aircraft carrier or a guided-missile cruiser?” Mr. Turner asked, referring to new policy that allows the military to provide assistance in drug arrests.
--cc
