Flow of Drugs From Mexico Called Out of Control

State Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp told a congressional committee here Thursday that the illegal flow of drugs from Mexico into the United States is “out of control” and suggested that California may overtake Florida as the nation’s “drug capital.” To illustrate the point, Van de Kamp and other officials pointed to a recent surge in drug seizures along the California-Mexico border.

According to Quintin L. Villanueva, regional commissioner for U.S. Customs, agents seized more cocaine in October and November of last year than in the previous 12 months.

Villanueva told the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control that border seizures of cocaine during that period totaled 131 pounds, compared to 103 pounds for the 12 months previous.

“The flow of drugs across our border with Mexico is out of control,” Van de Kamp said. “Heroin and especially cocaine are flooding the state. . . . If present trends continue, there is a real danger that California will contend with Florida for the dubious title of drug capital of the nation.”

The attorney general said that a surge of “cocaine killings” in the state by organized Cuban, Colombian and domestic criminals formerly based in Florida has accompanied the increase in cocaine traffic. He cited the 1985 slayings of family members of former UCLA football star Kermit Alexander in Los Angeles as proof that today’s cocaine peddlers are trained “in the ‘Miami Vice’ school of senseless violence.”

Federal Cutbacks Criticized

Alexander’s relatives were murdered by contract killers who hit the wrong house.

Van de Kamp warned that state law enforcement agencies alone cannot deal with the increased drug traffic. He praised Nancy Reagan’s work in the drug prevention field but sharply criticized President Reagan’s cutbacks in federal drug abuse and prevention programs.

“We’ve had inspirational leadership from Mrs. Reagan. Unfortunately, her husband’s budgets have been less inspirational,” Van de Kamp said. He said that the Administration’s funding for drug education programs dropped from $14 million in 1981 to $2.9 million in 1984.

Van de Kamp also attacked the Gramm-Rudman deficit reduction act, which he said has already proved disastrous in the war against drugs by cutting back funds used to combat the problem.

Robert L. Jackson, deputy director of the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, testified that synthetic heroin and other “designer drugs” have caused 106 deaths in California.

Several of the experts who testified before the committee suggested that the only long-term solution of the problem is to begin drug education programs in elementary school.

The committee members are leaving today for Mexico City where they will meet with government officials and discuss ways to stop the flow of drugs across the border.