Subject: LEGALIZATION OF DRUGS BACKED IN U.S.
X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0 -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
X-Comment: The Transnational Radical Party List
Herald Tribune International
Washington(AP)-Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders said Tuesday that the
legalization of illicit drugs "would markedly reduce our crime rate." Dr.
Elders said other countries had decriminalized drug use and had reduced
their crime rates without increasing the use of narcotics. She also said
she had not discussed the issue with President Clinton and that she was not
speaking for the Clinton administration.
-------------------------------------------------------
POLITICAL NOTE FROM HERALD TRIBUNE INTERNATIONAL
(9TH DECEMBER 1993)
POLITICAL NOTE
More Hot Water for Dr. Elders
Washington-Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, no stranger to controversy, was
enmeshed in a new one after suggesting that legalizing drugs could help
make America's streets safer. The White House quickly made it clear that
President Clinton does not see eye to eye on the issue with Dr. Elders.
Republicans and conservatives who opposed her confirmation expressed
outrage; some said the outspoken physician should resign or be dismissed.
"If the surgeon general has to have a study to see if drugs are hazardous
to your health, we need a new surgeon-general," said Senator Don Nickles,
Republican of Oklaoma. Her views "are so far outside the mainstream they
are simply radical," said Senator Daniel R.Coats, Republican of Indiana.
"Simply put, Dr.Elders does not speak for the great majority of Americans."
In this instance, at least, she did not speak for Mr. Clinton, who
weathered earlier storms over blunt statements by Dr. Elders when he was
governor of Arkansas and she was the state's health commissioner.
"The president is against legalizing drugs, and he's not interested in
studying the issue, said Dee Dee Myers, the White House press secretary. On
Wednesday, Ms. Myers said of Dr. Elders: "She's always been very outspoken.
The president stands very firmly behind her. We think she's doing a very
good job. In this instance, she was not speaking for the Administration."
(AP)
