Stance Distorted, Congressman Says : Rival Rips Gallegly Over Drug Law

Democratic congressional candidate Don Stevens has charged that Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) does not support enforcement of a controversial federal anti-drug law despite Gallegly’s much-touted tough line on narcotics.

Gallegly denied Stevens’ assertion and accused his opponent of distorting his oft-stated position.

In a news release, Stevens, of Thousand Oaks, said that in response to a newspaper questionnaire Gallegly failed to recognize that the Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies can confiscate boats, cars and other vehicles for possession as well as smuggling of illegal drugs. This practice in the “zero tolerance” program was highly publicized earlier this year.

“In order to win the war against drugs,” Stevens said, “a congressman must know the law and be able to spot federal agencies that fail to uphold it.”

Stevens demanded that Gallegly “explain why he appears to be willing to let drug users off the hook.”

Stevens, an attorney, based his criticism on one of Gallegly’s responses to a questionnaire sent to San Fernando Valley-area congressional candidates in September by the Los Angeles Times. Responses, some of which were edited for space, were reprinted last month.

Condensed Answer

Candidates were asked: “Do you support the routine seizing of boats, cars and other vehicles in which illegal drugs are found?”

Gallegly’s answer appeared in condensed form. His complete response was:

“The Coast Guard states that it has only permanently confiscated ships when there is ‘reasonable cause’ to believe the owner was involved in the drug trade and when large amounts of illegal drugs are found.

“Congressional oversight of this matter is required, and I support policies that are actually effective in halting the influx of drugs into this country and that are targeted toward professional drug smugglers that too easily enter U.S. territory.”

Gallegly said this week that he agrees with Stevens’ interpretation of the law and supports the seizure of boats and vehicles for possession as well as for drug smuggling even if he did not specifically mention that issue in his response.

“He’s trying to confuse the issue,” Gallegly said. “I’ve never equivocated a bit on that, at least intentionally. If that’s the way he wants to twist my position, then he’s incorrect.”

He said that his record on crime fighting won him the endorsement of the National Assn. of Police Organizations, which has a membership of 80,000, and the Peace Officers Research Assn. of California, which represents more than 31,000 law enforcement officers.

Stevens’ response to the question was: “In general, yes. However, exceptions should be made for common carriers and private vehicles where the owners did not know and reasonably could not have known of the existence of minute quantities of illegal drugs actually in the possession of the casual user.”

Gallegly represents the 21st District, which includes eastern Ventura County and parts of the western and northern San Fernando Valley.

Robert Jay, a Westlake Libertarian, is also in the race.