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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-02-27; Narcotics and Drug Study Committee Ad Hoc; MinutesCITY OF CARLSBAD Minutes of: Date of Meeti ng: Time of Meeting: Place of Meeting NARCOTICS and DRUG STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING February 27, 1969 7:00 P.M. City Hall Conference Room PRESENT: Carl H. Neiswender, Councilman and Chairman Douglas Deason, representative Carlsbad High School and Secretary to Committee (arrived at 8:25 P.M.) William E. Moore, representative Carlsbad Union School Dist Dr. Harvey Tuomi (arrived at 8:00 P.M.) Capt. Wallace Rossall, Carlsbad Law Enforcement ABSENT: Dr. E. R. Hertweck, Mira Costa College Psychology Dept. OTHERS PRESENT Dr. Reid Binder Dr. Reid Binder opened the discussion with a fact of which he had recently been made aware. According to Federal Law, prescriptions for depressants and stimulants can be refilled only five (5) times and expire after a period of six months. They can not be refilled again by telephone. Dr. Harvey Tuomi stated that the general concensus of opinion among other doctors he has spoken with regarding the drug problem is that medically, drugs are harmful. However, he stated that the greatest concern of this committee is the sociological aspects rather than the medical. He stated that education on this subject is needed. Cmn. Neiswender stated in reference to Dr. Binder's remark that the reason, perhaps, these prescriptions can be refilled only five times may be due to the fact that the shelf life is short, may have side effects, or a new and better type of drug may be available. When an inquiry was raised by Dr. Binder as to where information on drug takers was coming from, Mr. Moore replied that he has no experience of the problem on the junior high school level -- with the exception of two children who were using drugs but outside of school. Most of this information, he stated is absorbed through articles, pamphlets and police information. Dr. Tuomi informed the committee that he is aware of children in junior high school who are smoking marijuana and using pills. He stated that the would probably be more aware of this because of his profession. Mr. Moore related that his concern was the psychological addiction from the use of drugs. It seems to have caused such drug users to be less certain of themselves, less sure of the future and causing them to become rather mystical; reading into things that are not there. They do not have the kind of knowledge to touch intro- spection. This is not healthy as they have conditioned themselves to escape into fantasy. He stated the world is tough enough now and the pressures are enough without making it worse. Dr. Tuomi stated that more pure forms of Marijuana found outside the United States, in most cases, gives the user an easy escape and leads them to other things. Even though Marijuana as found in the United States is not as pure, it does accomplish the same result. The problem of how to "get to" the youth of today, how to help the youth understand the harmful effects of marijuana and other drugs was discussed at length and it was felt by Mr. Moore that the child- ren cannot be reached by just talking to them. He felt that there must be a repport; there must be respect. He stated that there must be a real effort to try and attack that which causes the youth to find an escape. Perhaps the pressures could be reduced and a substitute found; a substitute supportive of children and one that does not cause them to seek escape. This could be the answer. Dr. Binder stated that there is a possibility more recreational facilities could help this situation and commented that it appears as though the ones who are likely to take drugs are already un- stable individuals. The subject of how the military handled the problem of V.D. during WWII, discussing with the men the symptoms, the dangers, showing films and the disciplinary action imposed upon a victim of this disease was discussed. However, it was felt that this type of program would not be enough to convince the youth of today that the effects of marijuana and drugs are harmful to them. Dr. Tuomi pointed out that the youth today are less respectful of authority and have less regard for the law. Mr. Moore stated he did not feel the youth of today are any less respectful. They may question more but are not less respectful. Captain Rossall stated youth are questioning everything that is done and respect for the law as a whole. They have little respect for the determination of the law. This is an important element of the problem. He presented some figures which depicted the relation- ship between marijuana and crime taken from the F.B.I. Bulletin, and including areas outside the United States; it showed a definite increase in the crime rate. Mr. Moore stated he recently had read an article that San Diego is considering a new approach for youth who had been picked up by Police for marijuana. They are considering a counseling program with the family for a long series of therapeutic type of treatment. In essence this article seemed to say that methods used in the past have not worked. Mr. Moore stated he was intrigued with the con- cept and feels it would be more effective because parents, as well as the user, need that kind of help. He also stated it was his feeling that more money would have to be committed to solving problems such as this. Dr. Binder added that one consideration of a program of this nature is the number of clinical people available to devote their time. Captain Rossall stated that one of the problems the police have in discovering these users is that the family will not come forward because they are afraid of publicity or of being responsible for their child having a police record. The possibility of publishing the names of users after a conviction in theMocal newspaper was raised but it was felt that this would not be advantagous. Perhaps publication of how many complaints have been filed on this matter per week might have some effect and be more advantage. Cmn. Neiswender stated he would be interested in the effect the publication of a user's name after conviction would have on the family. -2- Mr. Moore stated that anything the community does regarding this problem must be positive. Printing the names of people is somewhat negative and may compound the problems and cause people to classify others by a mistake. Captain Rossall stated that the names of individuals who are "pushers" over 18 years of age are published in the paper but those who are under 18 are not. Upon the arrival of Mr. Doug Deason he reported to the Committee on his trip to Coronado. He stated that Coronado has many plans to combat the marijuana and drug problem but as yet they are like most other communities. Mr. Deason stated that $60,000 was appro- priated by Federal Grant Title III for Coronado to study the nar- cotics problem. The community is highly interested in solving the problems that are existing, and a group of about 80 interested in- dividuals was formed which was later reduced to a group of 40; so that Coronado does have a Community Action Program. Mr. Deason distributed brochures and pamphlets that he obtained from the Coronado meeting and cited some of the steps that have been taken by Coronado. One of the steps is an adult study class on the problems of marijuana and drugs. Mr. Deason stated that the class does not seem to be reaching the people it was designed most to reach. He explained that Cal Western University is experimenting with a "risk-taking" test and had held a conference on it. The idea is in connection with tobacco, alcohol and narcotics. A test can be given to a group to determine the amount of risk an individual would take in using any of these. Mr. Deason requested that he be sent a copy of the "risk taking" test which he stated he should receive shortly. The other technique Coronado has attempted is to have a center where youth in the school are wel- come to come in on a compl etely anonymous basis and talk about their problems. It is to obtain information for a model on the typical user from Coronado for comparison with the typical user from another locality. He stated that he did not feel that Coronado is much further along with their study of the problem than other communities, but that it appeared a few doors have been opened and that community interest there seems to be stronger. Also he stated that the schools are committed to this and are going to try to follow through with whatever the community decides. The schools have a definite program and the program is now in progress. Mr. Deason stated also that there is a difference of opinion in some communities as to whether there actually is a problem. Mr. Deason made the following recommendations for consideration. 1. A broad based community meeting to be comprised of churches, schools, civic leaders, etc. to choose a representative from each. 2. Create an adult educational class to correspond with the youth educational class. 3. Decide to continue what is being done in the schools now with programs on the subject, etc. He stated that perhaps what has to be done is bring the programs to the people. Cmn. Neiswender inquired what advantage a Federal Loan would be? It was stated that the most effective use of Federal Loan money would be a group study to help these people (users) to seek help. A unique program would have to be available and proof of the need would have to be furnished before a loan of this type could be obtained. -3- Dr. Tuomi inquired, in view of the problems of the police depart- ment as mentioned earlier, could a user be brought before a commit- tee (formed for this purpose) and the parents so that the committee could interview those involved and make a recommendation to the court that as a condition of probation the user and his parents report to a group therapy program. After a volume of discussion on a committee of this nature being formed, covering such subjects as the selection of people who might serve on such a committee, the reaction of the legal people in- volved on a local level and the availability of professional coun- selors for a group therapy program, the committee concluded the meeting with the decision to write a letter to Judge Richard L. Vaughn, Superior Court, San Diego who handles Juvenile Cases to invite him to a meeting with the committee for enlightenment on the legal problems involved in such cases and also determine his reaction to a committee who would make recommendations to the court. It was also agreed by the Committee that there would be no scheduled meeting until the Committee received a response from Judge Vaughn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, NORA K. DANIELS Recording Secretary