Narcotics Will Never Impact Westchester:
Sheriff Predicts in 1954
by Ned Benton
(April 8, 2004)
"There is no problem of narcotics in Westchester County
because of the close cooperation between the Sheriff’s
office and the 30 police departments of the County ... Narcotics
will never get a foothold in the County," The
Larchmont Times reported on
February
18, 1954. (See: Masons Given
the
Real
Dope on “Goof Balls” and “Chipping”) Sure. No problem...
Of course, drug and alcohol abuse did
get a foothold, and today's parents are not lulled into thinking "it
couldn't happen in Larchmont." Current
news accounts tell of problems and responses:
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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