This hearing represents the responsible and dedicated work of Chairman Rangel and other Members of the House that will continue to be necessary to reach the goal of eliminating drug abuse from our streets and classrooms from our homes and workplaces. Like so many problems that face our country today, there is surely no one single solution to the problem. That is why I favor a full national commitment for education and prevention programs, treatment centers and effective law enforcement.

As the Representative of the South Bronx in New York City, a congressional district with major narcotics problems, I believe the advocates of legalization are failing to take into consideration a number of factors. The most significant concern that I have about the legalization of drugs is the resulting increase in widespread use of drugs, especially among our youth. This would have a particularly large, negative impact in the inner cities and minority communities.

Minority communities have traditionally carried the bulk of the weight of the nation's social problems. Drug abuse is no exception. Without the present legal restraints, we would face the prospect that more black and Hispanic youngsters would turn to illegal drugs as an escape valve to the social and economic difficulties they are confronted with everyday.

Legalization is no message to be sending our young people and our inner city communities. It is no policy for this nation to adopt. There is no quick and easy solution to this problem:

The war on drugs requires effective education for everyone,

especially high risk populations.

The war on drugs requires effective treatment facilities,
especially for inner-city IV drug users.

The war on drugs requires providing better job opportunities, better housing, and better health care. It requires providing hope.

these

The war on drugs, Mr. Chairman, requires our full commitment to improving the lives of those who need our help the most are the people at most risk of drug abuse. We cannot give up on the war on drugs, nor can we give up on the people who have no better alternative available to them today.

I am also troubled by the idea that legalization will deter crime and the criminal element. As long as there are potential users who cannot obtain drugs through legal channels, like

underaged children and users without adequate income, there will be pushers and dealers who are only too willing to sell their product. Unless we are willing to legalize all drugs, including those that are proven to be fatal PCP, LSD or Crack, and unless we are willing to make them available to everyone we will be faced with criminal activity and youth involvement.

Legalization also raises the question whether police

officers, airline pilots, truck drivers, physicians or participants in potentially hazardous occupations should be subject to special restrictions or testing. It also fails to recognize the incidences of AIDS resulting from IV drug use and infant addiction resulting

from drug abuse among pregnant women. Legalization is not the answer to the drug problem. It is instead a response developed in frustration that will add to, not detract from, the problem. We cannot surrender to this menace at a time when we have not yet devoted the maximum effort and resources towards prevention, education and enforcement.

The tide in America is changing. The fight to eliminate dangerous drugs from our society is a long and difficult struggle that can and will be acheived. I do not argue against discussing all possible solutions to the drug problem, but we have just begun the war on drugs and we should not give up now. Nor should we introduce the uncertainty of legalization to an already complex and serious problem:

There are too many unknowns.

There is too much at stake.

There are too many lives to be lost to addiction.

Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity to speak before the Select Committee this morning. I also commend you for your

dedication to this problem. It requires our full commitment and involvement.

TESTIMONY

SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Legalization of Illicit Drugs: A Position In Opposition The Workplace Perspective

Mr. Chairman, fellow panelists, and those assembled,

thank you for inviting me to testify today on this important issue I shall address the question of illicit drug legalization from the arena in which I see a very serious aspect of the problem the workplace. I shall provide a few specific case examples of the impact of employee drug addiction, give you facts about drug abuse in the workplace and why legalization is not a good answer, and I will then submit my recommendations for solution to the Committee for consideration.

However, before presenting my testimony I would like to take a few moments to give you my background so that you will understand my position in this testimony. It is important to make clear that I am speaking as an individual and not as a representative of the University of Maryland or of any company for which I consult. As a Professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work I direct the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) specialization which concentrates upon employees' personal problems and their impact on job performance. From 1979 to 1984, I developed and directed the model federal employee assistance program for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) within the office of the Secretary. I am also a consultant specializing in the design and evaluation of employee assistance programs for a variety of public agencies, national corporations as well as small businesses. My clients include large Fortune 500 companies as well as federal agencies such as the

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