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In 1954, as they are today, adults were arming themselves with the latest information so they could recognize and ward off the dangers of drugs for themselves and their teens. In 1954, the Larchmont Masons invited the Deputy Sheriff of Westchester to speak about the emerging problem of marijauna and heroin abuse. The Deputy Sheriff offered several interesting observations: He explained how marijuana is consumed: "Marijuana is bitter in taste and is usually taken alternating with a glass of dry Sherry." On the dangers of marijuana, he cautioned: "Marijuana is not habit-forming, but gives the smoker a thrill, excites his passions, and often sets up a desire to kill." He explained the law enforcment focus on dealers rather than users: "His [the dealer] is the job of finding weak personalities in an area, and persuading them not only to smoke 'reefers' but to persuade others to do so." He explained that high school students are a target: "The bait he holds out is income on a high plane, which seems particularly appealing to high school youths, and the ability to 'go places and do things on a grand scale.' " As to local users, he offered a treatment prespective: "The use of drugs is a weakness and an illness, not so much a crime, and efforts are made to handle it that way.” Masons Given the Real Dope on “Goof Balls” and “Chipping” is a 1954 news account of the speech, along with images of drug abusers from comic books of the period.
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