‘Drug Education Is More Important Than Legalization’

Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders has said that legalizing drugs could “markedly reduce our crime rate,” and has called for further study of the radical idea. Voices asked some Southern Californians what they think of the proposal.

DOUG LONGSHORE

Behavioral scientist, RAND Corp., Santa Monica

I do think that the surgeon general is right in that we need to look at other ideas in dealing with the drug problem in this country. If you look at other countries, there does seem to be a correlation between the legalization of drugs and the drop in crime. However, whether a policy of legalization leads to this is still not clear. It’s too early to begin legalization. There are many questions and concerns that must be addressed before we can start legalization.

CARLOS MANALO

Community worker, Santa Ana

The surgeon general is correct in saying that we must look into other ways to halt the spread of drugs. As far as legalization, I think it’s time to seriously look at the possibility of this. If the government could control the distribution like in England or Holland, then I think this would be a big step in eradicating the drugs from the street. From there, however, we must begin a comprehensive education program that would teach youngsters about the dangers of drugs. Like cigarettes, which are legal, we are finding that education is working. Children understand that smoking is bad for them. The same can be done with (illegal) drugs.

DOUG LONGSHORE

Behavioral scientist, RAND Corp., Santa Monica

I do think that the surgeon general is right in that we need to look at other ideas in dealing with the drug problem in this country. If you look at other countries, there does seem to be a correlation between the legalization of drugs and the drop in crime. However, whether a policy of legalization leads to this is still not clear. It’s too early to begin legalization. There are many questions and concerns that must be addressed before we can start legalization.

BRENDA HALL

Assistant parole officer, Los Angeles

I don’t think legalizing drugs will make any difference in the crime rate on our streets. People are desperate. People are homeless. They don’t have jobs. Children are not being educated. They feel they have no future. Drugs are an escape for many of these people. Drugs are a problem, but we have to look at what leads to the use of them. We have to start dealing with society’s ills. Legalization of drugs would be just another Band-Aid approach.

CELIA CARRERA

Former drug user, Venice

In my case, drugs ruined my life. But I know that booze has ruined a lot of other peoples’ lives. One is legal, one isn’t. I don’t think legalizing drugs will make that big a difference. I think education and rehabilitation are more important than legalization. I would have taken drugs whether they were legal or not. The important thing is to get that person to not try it. If people are afraid to try it, the demand will naturally dry up.

CHRIS BROWN

Associate professor of criminal justice and sociology, Chapman University, Orange

It’s obvious that our U.S. current drug policy is not working. And I think it is time to at least look at other ways to control the drug problem. I personally think that drugs should be legalized because once you take the economic factor out of drugs, then crime associated with it would decrease. If you look at other countries like Holland or England, where the government controls the dispensation of some drugs, violence associated with drugs has dropped. But aside from that, we must look at other ways to stop the drug problem in this country.

STEVE TAYLOR

Senior vice president, Phoenix House, Gardena

I think that the surgeon general’s comment signifies something that is very disturbing. For her to make such a statement--which I think is a correct statement--comes out of frustration. There is no cohesive drug policy in this country. While the issue of drug legalization makes for good mental debate, I think the primary problem at hand is what are we going to do with those currently addicted to drugs? The caseload of those strung out on drugs is out of hand. We must have a policy that will take care of these people and, if we can rehabilitate them, do so. Until we address this problem first, a policy of drug legalization would be pointless.

PAUL M. WALTERS

Chief of police, Santa Ana

I think the legalization of drugs would be the worst thing we could ever do. What would change if we legalized them? The same people who abuse them would keep abusing them, and nothing would change in their lives. They wouldn’t be contributing anything positive to society. And if they sold drugs, they would look for another way of illegally making money. And what about those who are law-abiding citizens who don’t take drugs because they are illegal? Then we would be opening a door for those people to legally take drugs. Like alcohol, which is legal, I think we would have another drug to abuse. The ramifications of legalizing drugs are far too dangerous.