Reagan Vows Own Crusade Against Drugs

President Reagan, prodded by the drug-abuse deaths of sports figures, vowed Wednesday to undertake a personal crusade against drugs that could result in widespread drug screening as a condition for employment in the federal government and the private sector.

“Those who smuggle and sell drugs are as dangerous to our national security as any terrorist or foreign dictatorship,” Reagan told a group of civic leaders. He urged them “to get tough and to get involved” in the fight against drugs.

To set an example, Reagan will unveil a legislative package next week calling for stiffer penalties for drug dealers along with proposals to withhold federal funds from educational institutions and government contractors that fail to take positive steps to discourage drug use.

‘We Have Leverage’

“We’re a buyer of goods, and we don’t want to get goods from people who are hopped up,” said a White House official, speaking on the condition he not be identified. “This is one area where we have active leverage.”

Reagan is also expected to endorse the principle of compulsory urine tests in the workplace, although the White House official said he probably will stop short of asking for mandatory testing of federal employees because of constitutional questions. Opponents call such testing the equivalent of requiring that individuals accused of crimes testify against themselves, which is forbidden by the Fifth Amendment.

The Defense Department has used mandatory universal screening for some time on grounds that drug use in the military could jeopardize the national defense.

“And if you’re caught, you’re out,” said White House spokesman Larry Speakes. “Simple as that.”

Reagan’s proposed program, which he plans to announce in a major speech next week, does not call for any new government money but is expected to shift about $200 million from other federal programs to pay for educational efforts and treatment centers.

It will rely heavily on cooperation from the private sector, including such service organizations as Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs and the Elks, all of which had representatives present at the White House for Reagan’s speech.

Public Opinion Moved

The Administration is spending more than $1 billion on drug-related law enforcement but much less for education and treatment. Speakes said the recent death of University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias “had a tremendous impact on public opinion as far as something must be done and must be done now.” In a recent speech, Reagan referred to a poll in which 71% of respondents cited drugs as their No. 1 concern.

First Lady Nancy Reagan has carried the banner against drugs for several years, but White House officials thought that Reagan no longer could comfortably leave it to his wife. One official said that “the coming of crack,” a cheap and highly addictive form of cocaine, was a turning point in convincing Reagan’s advisers that drugs had to be a priority issue.

“The time has come to give notice that individual drug use is threatening the health and safety of all our citizens,” Reagan told the public-service representatives gathered in the White House.