August 12, 1964

Dope Not Now Problem: May Sneak in Lake Port

We have been so deluged in recent years with accounts of the shortcomings of modern youth that we couldn’t help but be surprised to learn narcotic addiction is not a problem with Ohio youngsters.

Chief Paul Wein, of the Summit County Sheriff’s office, was invited recently to speak to our Rotary Club on the subject of “Narcotics and Youth.” The topic took the edge off my Swiss steak lunch, which the church ladies had so well prepared.

To the problems of auto driving, sex, respect for property, social attitudes, work habits and all the other evidences of moral decay in American youth, I was prepared to add the vice of narcotics.

Not so, says Wein.

“Narcotics among young people is not a problem in Ohio,” he reports. “Years ago it started out to be a matter of serious concern when it took four men in the Akron police department to handle narcotic law violations. Today, drug investigations are a part-time job for one man.”

Formerly head of the narcotics division of the Akron police department, Wein speaks from firsthand knowledge. He says Ohio’s severe laws have wiped out drug addiction and peddling in this state.

There is a minimum term of two years for addiction - stiffer ones for selling illegal drugs. Prison sentences for addiction range up to 40 years for repeated violations.

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We are much heartened to learn that narcotics addiction among children is not anything to worry about, however, we are troubled about the approach of Ohio law to the problem of addiction in general.

It does not seem right that the wretches who have been “hooked” by the habit should be punished. It smacks too much of the medieval practice of jailing the insane.

On the other hand, it is comforting to know that my sons and daughters are not likely to be exposed to temptation.

If harsh penalties are the answer – really - then I’ll not waste much sympathy on the silly fools who seem to find pleasure in a state of light-headiness and weird dreams.

It is difficult for the average person to comprehend the attraction of self-destroying practices. Perhaps this is why we are puzzled as to the proper handling of drug addiction.

Last Fall, we went to a well-known Akron night spot to hear Pat Pace and his beautiful wife play the piano and sing. Absolutely marvelous. They are both handsome and talented people.

Pace later was arrested for the possession of narcotics and finally taken out of circulation. It was only the last of a long series of troubles with the law on the same problem.

If Pace’s addiction was his own problem we might be inclined to say leave him alone - he suffers in his own private brand of Hell. But there’s his young wife. And a devoted brother who has gotten himself in serious trouble stealing drugs to satisfy Pat’s habit.

Society suffers because the fine symphony which Pace wrote -- and helped the Cleveland Orchestra perform -- is not likely to be repeated.

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It is interesting that the centers of peddling and using of narcotics are mostly around major seaports.

Wein says that most of the supply of dope in this country is smuggled in by seamen and travelers. There are thousands of places to conceal narcotics. Only a tiny fraction of that which is shipped is ever intercepted.

When you understand the fantastic amount of profit involved in the importation and sale of dope, it is easy to see why criminals are attracted to the carnal traffic.

The narcotic most often pushed is heroin - dubbed “horse”, “boy” or simply “H” by its devotees.

A kilo (2. 2 pounds) of heroin brings $1,000 in Italy where the drug chain most often is anchored. Delivered at a U.S. port, the drug brings $7,000.

Cut three-to-one with lactose, talcum powder, baking soda or any other harmless filler, the horse now is worth $30,000.

Finally, the cut drug peddled in number 5 gelatin capsules at $3 each returns $100,000 to the pushers!

The net return for each handler of happy dust ranges from 300 to 700 percent.

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Wein warns to be alert to an influx of narcotics activity as the Great Lakes ports of Cleveland and Toledo attract more ocean-going vessels.

Certainly, until international control of narcotics is firmly established, we should be careful not to weaken our defenses against drug infiltration.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist