Reagan Tells Youths They’ll ‘Be a Hero’ if They Say No to Drugs

President Reagan urged young Americans on Saturday to “say no” to drugs and said those who do will “be a hero in my book.”

The President used his weekly radio address to appeal directly to young people.

“I’m going to ask you a favor: Say no to drugs, and tell your friends to say no too,” Reagan said.

He also announced that First Lady Nancy Reagan and Education Secretary William J. Bennett will issue a handbook later this month “for communities to use to rid schools of drugs.”

He gave no details of what the handbook would contain, but said: “Just as surely as it will require the diligence of parents, teachers and principals, beating drugs in our schools will require the involvement of neighbors, community groups, law enforcement officials, churches and synagogues.”

In the Democratic response, Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of a congressional drug panel, challenged Reagan to back up his tough talk with action and wage “a real and not merely rhetorical war against drugs.”

Attacking the Administration’s record on funding anti-drug education programs and law enforcement, Rangel said Reagan should support bipartisan legislation in the House that would increase federal support for such efforts.