Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 29, 1992 TAG: 9203290100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Republicans or the Democrats?
The president or perhaps Congress?
The drug problem has become a partisan issue in the campaign for Roanoke City Council as the candidates argue over who's at fault.
It has generated sharp exchanges among the mayoral and council hopefuls.
Democrat David Bowers blames the increase in drug trafficking on the Republicans, saying it has gotten worse under the past two Republican presidents.
But the GOP candidates deny their party is at fault. They argue that drug trafficking is a people problem, not a partisan issue.
Bowers, who is running for mayor, interjected politics into the debate this past week when he ridiculed the Reagan administration for its "Just Say No" campaign to fight drugs.
Former President Reagan and President Bush have talked a lot about the drug problem, but they have not matched their words with the commitment and money, Bowers said.
"The problem is worse now than it was 12 years ago," he said. A Democratic president - and mayor - would help solve it, he said.
"We need a Democratic mayor who can go to the White House and ask a Democratic president to do something about the problem," Bowers said at a forum for the candidates. "It is a national problem that ought to be solved on a national basis."
But Bowers' accusation brought a sharp response from Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles, a Republican who said that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are to blame. Bowles said a cooperative effort by police, community agencies, churches, neighborhood leaders and volunteers is needed to curb drug trafficking.
Residents should be willing to volunteer to help police monitor activities in parks where drugs are sold, she said.
Republican Delvis "Mac" McCadden said Bowers should look to the Democratic-controlled Congress if he's looking for someone to blame.
"We all talk about the drug problem, but we don't do anything about it," McCadden said. Neighborhood leaders and city residents need to get more involved in the fight, he said.
"Until everybody says, `We've had enough,' the problem won't be solved," McCadden said.
The candidates were asked what can be done to rid city parks of drug dealers.
Willis "Wick" Anderson, the Republican candidate for mayor, said that if the parks were used more for organized activities, it would discourage dealers from using them.
"If family groups, the PTAs, clubs and others hold more programs in the parks, there wouldn't be room for drug dealers," he said.
Republican Beverly Lambert said parents, churches and other groups need to become more involved. "The police can't do everything alone," she said. "Maybe it will take volunteers."
Councilman Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., a Democrat seeking his second term, cautioned that the cost of hiring more police to help reduce the drug problem could be high.
Tougher law enforcement is needed in the parks to halt drug sales, said Democrat James Trout.
"If we had some officers walking the parks, that would help," said Democrat Renee Anderson.
By improving recreational activities for youth, the city can provide something for them to do and reduce the chance they will turn to drugs, Anderson said.
McCadden said the lack of transportation for black youths is a major hurdle and prevents many from participating in organized recreational activities and sports. "We've got find a way to transport black youths to activities" if they can't find their own way there, he said.
Lambert said the city should try to arrange more recreational activities for youths, saying "We need to get to them when they are young" to keep them from turning to drugs.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB