First Lady’s Drug War: Hollywood Says Thanks

First Lady Nancy Reagan was honored by the entertainment industry here Thursday night for her leadership role in the fight against drug abuse.

Nearly 900 people, who paid $500 each for tickets, attended the banquet at the Sheraton Premiere.

Proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Entertainment Industries Council, were earmarked for the Nancy Reagan Drug Abuse Fund and the council’s Drug Education Program. The council is the industry’s voice in the national war against drug and alcohol abuse.

Thursday night’s banquet launched an annual award, named for the First Lady, to recognize the contributions of individuals to the national effort against narcotics and alcohol abuse.

Mrs. Reagan’s award came late in the evening. The lead crystal sculpture, by designer Steven V. Correia, was presented by television producer Ralph Andrews, chairman of the council, and singer Frank Sinatra.

‘Shows Determination’

“This effort shows a determination on the part of the entertainment industry to turn young people away from drug use, and for this I am very thankful,” Mrs. Reagan said.

True to Hollywood benefit tradition, it was an evening short on speeches and long on show.

Performing on the program were the New Addition, Anthony Newley, Henry Winkler, Donna Summer, the Statler Brothers, Burt Reynolds and Sinatra, who sang “L.A. Is My Lady.”

Actress Elizabeth Taylor, who said she had recognized her problem (of alcohol abuse) before it was too late, personally thanked Mrs. Reagan for her involvement in the campaign.

Besides the show and a video tribute to the First Lady, the evening marked the premiere of a new anti-drug music video, called “Stop the Madness,” produced by the council.

Earlier in the day, Mrs. Reagan had videotaped two public service television announcements as part of her international campaign against teen-age alcohol and drug abuse.

In one of the spots, taped at NBC’s Burbank studios, Mrs. Reagan appears at a party with three teen-agers in which two youths offer another teen-ager beer and marijuana. She advises them not to give in to peer pressures.

“Taking drugs and drinking aren’t things you should do just because some people say you should,” says the First Lady. “If you just say no to drugs, alcohol and pills, you’ll be saying yes to a whole lot more.”

In a red plaid dress and with a green “Just Say No” button pinned to her red cardigan, Mrs. Reagan talked briefly with reporters after the taping.

“I think we’re seeing the level of (drug abuse) awareness going up,” she said. “It’s a pressing problem. We’re talking about losing the next generation.”