McCarthy’s Drug Project Greeted With Skepticism

Lt. Gov. Leo T. McCarthy got a skeptical reception Tuesday from some students at a Van Nuys school for the physically and emotionally disabled over his proposal to raise the state sales tax to fight drug abuse.

McCarthy asked about 75 junior and senior high school-age students of The HELP Group--a private nonprofit school and therapy center--their opinions on whether after-school recreation and classroom drug prevention programs would reduce the number of students who use illegal drugs.

The school recreation and education programs are two provisions included in an initiative McCarthy is sponsoring for the November ballot that seeks to raise the 6% state sales tax one-half cent. Supporters of McCarthy’s initiative must gather 372,000 signatures of registered voters by May to qualify for the November ballot.

The estimated $1.6 billion a year earned by the tax hike would be earmarked for more police and prisons, and drug prevention classes beginning in kindergarten for every student in the state.

“Drug abuse is the No. 1 problem in California,” McCarthy said.

Some students expressed doubts over McCarthy’s proposals.

“Whether you have an after-school program or are out on the streets, you’re going to run into drugs,” said one young man.

Another student suggested that illegal drugs be made legal and then taxed, with proceeds going to drug rehabilitation programs.

“People can get ‘crack’ anytime they want it anyway,” said a young man to McCarthy.

McCarthy asked: “You’re saying, no matter what we do, people will use drugs?”

“Yes,” the young man replied.

Many students said they agreed with McCarthy’s assessment during the nearly hourlong question and answer session in the school’s auditorium. But, they explained some of the reasons they believe young people use drugs: boredom, peer pressure, emotional problems.

Other students asked McCarthy why more money isn’t going to drug treatment programs. About 8% of the proposed sales tax increase would go to such programs.

“It costs more than $650 a day to go to drug treatment, so that only the rich people can afford it, not the poor people who are the ones using ‘crack,’ ” said one young woman, who cannot be identified because of state laws protecting the identity of those who attend schools for the disabled.

Some students said drug prevention lessons explain the dangers of drug abuse. But many youngsters decide to experiment with drugs despite the warnings because, said one student, “People think, ‘So what if it kills me, my life isn’t going anywhere right now.’ ”