The Region - News from May 14, 1987

Calling the city’s drug problem “a plague running rampant in the streets,” Assistant Los Angeles Police Chief Barry Wade told a citizen’s panel that law enforcement is still losing the war on narcotics. He said that 13,000 pounds of cocaine was seized last year by the LAPD, an increase of 7,000% since 1980. “The situation is totally out of control,” Wade said. He added that in spite of efforts last year by Congress to increase money and manpower to fight drugs, it is not enough. “We need to make a strong statement to the federal government that we aren’t getting the help we need.” Wade was one of a dozen witnesses who provided similar testimony at the City Hall hearing. The 15-member panel will hear testimony May 19 in Van Nuys and May 26 in South-Central Los Angeles before developing a comprehensive plan for better waging war on drugs.