Get Politics Out of Drug War: Reagan

President Reagan said today that the battle against illegal drugs is in danger of being “tripped up” by political debate, and proposed a bipartisan task force to find a consensus within 45 days on all aspects of the anti-narcotics campaign.

“If we cannot remove the politics from drugs, how can we hope to remove the drugs from our communities, workplaces and schools?” Reagan said in a commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Reagan’s speech highlighted the growing importance of drugs as a political issue in the presidential campaign and on Capitol Hill. It has been a staple of Jesse Jackson’s stump speeches, and is raised with increasing frequency by fellow Democrat Michael S. Dukakis and Republican George Bush.

Moreover, there is sharp criticism--from Republicans and Democrats alike, particularly in Congress--of an Administration offer to drop drug-trafficking indictments against Panamanian military ruler Manuel A. Noriega in return for Noriega’s agreement to relinquish power.

Reagan, standing under gray, rain-threatening skies, addressed 159 white-uniformed, graduating cadets and their relatives from a stage near the Thames River.

‘Excessive ... Politics’

“Illegal drug use is the foremost concern in our country. And, frankly, as I finish my final year in office and look ahead, I worry that excessive drug politics might undermine effective drug policy,” the President said.

“If America’s anti-drug effort gets tripped up in partisanship, if we permit politics to determine policy, it will mean a disaster for our future and that of our children,” he added.

Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R-N.Y.) scoffed at Reagan’s remarks.

“If we took action, there wouldn’t be any necessity for rhetoric,” D’Amato said. “It’s naive for his speech writers to say, ‘Drop the political rhetoric,’ if they are going to make a deal with the scoundrel” in Panama.

As for the bipartisan commission, D’Amato said, “It is unfortunate that it took the Congress to drag the Administration, kicking and screaming, to the altar on doing something about drugs.”

Earlier, Reagan toured the Coast Guard cutter Vigorous and inspected weapons and satchels of cocaine seized by federal authorities.

‘Solutions for Every Area’

In his speech, Reagan did not mention the Noriega controversy. He urged that Democrats and Republicans from the House and Senate join with Administration representatives “to advance America’s unified response to the problem of illegal drug use.”

Specifically, he said the proposed task force should produce a report on issues such as how the military should be involved in the campaign and whether the death penalty should be imposed when a police officer or other people are killed as a result of drug trafficking.

“Our task force should agree on solutions for every area of the drug problem, from blocking supplies to curtailing demand, from treatment to education to prosecution, from interdiction and confiscation to eradication--nothing should be overlooked or ruled out,” the President said.

“Our policy should be one of ‘zero tolerance’ for illegal drugs, and we are looking for solutions, not just a restatement of the problem,” he added.

There appears to be a growing sentiment in Congress for increasing the role of the military in interdicting drugs. Reagan said the government should consider allowing governors greater use of the National Guard in the effort.

“But one thing must be clear--when it comes to the military, let’s give them a clear mission for specific situations,” Reagan said.