From: [l p hq] at [access.digex.net] (Libertarian Party Headquarters)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs,talk.politics.misc,alt.politics.libertarian
Subject: LP Defends Elders
Date: 9 Dec 1993 16:41:14 -0500

NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
1528 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington DC 20003

For immediate release: September December 8, 1993

For additional information:
Bill Winter, Director of Communications
(202) 543-1988


LIBERTARIAN PARTY DEFENDS JOYCELYN ELDERS'
CALL TO STUDY DRUG LEGALIZATION

        WASHINGTON DC -The Chairman of the Libertarian Party today applauded a
"courageous" Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders for suggesting that drugs should 
be legalized, saying, "This could be the first step towards a major reduction 
of crime in America."
        Stephen Dasbach, the head of America's third-largest political party, 
said, "Instead of repudiating Elders' comments, the Clinton administration 
should thank her for suggesting a sensible way to end the violence caused by 
illegal drugs."
        Dasbach said a study on the effects of drug legalization - as 
advocated by Elders during her talk at the National Press Club - would be an 
excellent first step.
        "But we've already done a study on this - it was called Prohibition," 
he said. "When Prohibition was repealed, machine gun battles between rival 
bootlegging gangs vanished. Widespread corruption of policemen and judges 
ended. And millions of otherwise decent Americans were no longer forced to 
break the law."
        Dasbach said the nation's murder rate declined for nine consecutive 
years after the end of Prohibition. "The same thing would happen if drug 
prohibition was ended," he said. 
        "Alcohol prohibition was a failure. Drug prohibition is a failure. The
sooner Bill Clinton follows the courageous lead of Joycelyn Elders, the sooner
we can move towards a more peaceful, secure America," he said. 
        "Elders knows there is powerful evidence proving that crime declines 
and that drug use remains level after decriminalization," said Dasbach. "I'm 
astonished the Clinton Administration denies this, or refuses to do further 
studies. Drug-related crime is a national crisis. How can Clinton refuse to 
examine any option that might make the situation better?
        "Elders is joining a long list of intelligent, reputable Americans who
advocate examining drug legalization," noted Dasbach. "Baltimore Mayor Kurt 
Schmoke, conservative commentator William F. Buckley, former Secretary of 
State George Schultz, and Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman are a few of the 
others. This is no longer a radical idea. It's an idea whose time is coming."
        Dasbach said the Libertarian Party does not endorse drug use. "But the
Libertarian Party does support the relegalization of drugs to reduce crime and
to end the ongoing assault on the Bill of Rights that is being caused by the 
War on Drugs," he said.
        There are about 100 Libertarians currently in elected and appointed 
office around the country, and Libertarian Party candidates won more than 3.7 
million votes for state and federal office in 1992. The party platform calls 
for free enterprise, free trade, individual liberty, and respect for the Bill 
of Rights. 

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