When DEA asked law enforcement executives, community leaders and prevention advocates exactly what they

want and need to address legalization questions, the answers were clear. They said,"It is essential that the facts

regarding the true implications of the legalization issue be made known. Help us to explain this complex issue to

our families, friends and fellow citizens. Put it in words everyone can understand. And give us the support we

need to continue to make the case until it doesn't have to be made anymore."

Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization is the first step in helping to deliver the credible, consistent message

about the risks and costs of the legalization of drugs to people in terms that make sense to them. The

anti-legalization message is effective when communicated by representatives of the Federal Government, but

takes on even more credibility when it comes from those in the community who can put the legalization debate in

local perspective.

DEA will undertake the ongoing work of responding to your inquiries, updating and expanding the guide as

necessary and evaluating its usefulness and impact. We invite you to provide your views on this publication. We

hope Speaking Out will be used in several ways. For local law enforcement executives, community leaders,

prevention advocates and others, it should serve, first, as an open invitation to join in making the affirmative case

against legalization. Second, it provides background and practical answers to the most commonly asked questions

about the legalization of drugs.

Remember

There are a few things to remember when discussing the legalization issue.

First, according to reliable public opinion polls, the majority of the American people and lawmakers agree that

drugs should not be legalized.

Second, when discussing legalization, it is important that all available information and experiences be brought

into the open. This can be accomplished by asking the tough questions. Some of these questions are listed below.

Insist that any discussion be based on a specific definition of how legalization should be implemented, not an

abstract theory.

Third, don't lose faith. This is a long and difficult effort we are undertaking to get our issues on the table and be

heard. Eventually, the climate will change and pro-legalization arguments will again be out of fashion. While the

debate appears to be cyclical, having more resonance in certain circumstances, we must continue to impress upon

audiences, and ultimately the American people, that legalization would be a devastating defeat to the commitment

that so many have made to living free, healthy and unfettered in our nation.

Anti-Legalization Forum

In August 1994, in an effort to identify compelling arguments against legalization, DEA sponsored a two-day

Anti-Legalization Forum at Quantico, Virginia, for experts in the field. Several police chiefs, representatives

from Government agencies and private sector authorities gave their time to this important task. The participants

were asked to refine the arguments that can be made against legalization and evaluate ways to address the

legalization issue in an effective and meaningful way.

Three groups were formed to discuss various aspects of the legalization debate: Social/Economic issues, Health

Effects, and Crime and Violence. All of the arguments espoused by legalization proponents impact on these three

areas, and many of the s outlined in this publication cross-cut the topics discussed by the three groups. At the end

of the two-day session, group leaders presented the recommendations of each group.

While individual groups arrived at specific conclusions, there were a number of general concerns and ideas raised

by all participants:

Those speaking against legalization need to be positive and confident about that position. Legalization

opponents must constantly ask just how many drug addicts will be created under legalization, how the

government will support addicts' habits, and who will pay for the social, criminal and other costs of

legalization.

Legalization opponents often have a hard time being heard. Although only a small minority of academics,

social scientists and other public figures advocate legalization, the conference participants felt that the

legalization advocates make better use of the media in making their opinions known than the far larger

group of legalization opponents. A current climate of frustration with crime, violence and drug abuse is

fueling the legalization debate, and accomplishments in controlling drugs do not get much attention. The

costs of the fight against drugs are generally not put in perspective, and the costs of inaction are never

discussed. Nevertheless, conference participants agreed that a positive, proactive campaign against

legalization can be very effective.

Legalization proponents are formidable opponents. The group acknowledged that proponents of legalization

are generally well-prepared and credible people whose arguments, though compelling, are faulty.

Proponents effectively use lawyers and public relations firms to espouse liberalization of drug policies.

Misperceptions drive the debate. The legalization debate is being driven by the perception that the costs of

solving the drug problem in America are far too high. The group cited public mistrust of government and a

perception that federal agencies attacking the problem are fragmented and have no consensus about

direction as reasons that the legalization debate rings true with many people. There are also numerous

misperceptions about the foreign experience relating to drug legalization and the system of prescription for

heroin. Forum participants stressed the need to get the real story on the British, Dutch and Swiss

experiments out into the open.

Americans are frustrated by the drug problem. While an overwhelming majority of the American people are

not convinced that legalization is a good option, there is a sense of frustration that we have spent so much

money on controlling drug trafficking and use, yet violence and crime continue. The group noted that most

Americans erroneously think that legalization advocates are only suggesting that marijuana be legalized, and

are generally unaware of the dramatic impact that legalizing cocaine and heroin will have.

The debate must not take place in the abstract. The debate on legalization must be brought down from an

abstract concept to a common sense scenario. Audiences need to understand that 70 percent of drug users

are employed, and that the school bus driver who drives your children to school could smoke marijuana,

that the surgeon who operates on you may have cocaine in his system, and that the driver in back of you

may be on speed. The debate needs to demonstrate graphically how the common man will be impacted by

drug legalization.

Reprinted with permission from Tribune

Media Services

What Motivates Legalization Proponents?

Some of the media, certain quarters in academia and some frustrated Americans see legalization as an option

which should be discussed. The panel discussed some of the factors possibly motivating advocates of legalization

in order to appreciate the complexity of the debate. The group noted that many who advocate legalization are

attempting to "normalize" the behavior of drug-taking and that many are people who have tried drugs without

significant adverse consequences.

Others see potential profit in legalizing drugs and still others simply believe that individual rights to take drugs

should be protected. The group also acknowledged that the legalization concept appeals to people who are

looking for simple solutions to he devastating problem of drug abuse.