4 - The Black Vault

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THHEBOM CORP
TION
3. The Nixon Message June 17, 1971: Its Impact on Drug Abuse
and Control Programs
The epidemic of drug abuse in the military, especially among US
forces in Vietnam, compelled President Nixon on June 17, 197' to identify
drug abuse as "America's public enemy number one." He followed through
with a directive to the Secretary of Defense which included a four-point
drug control program for immediate implementation in the Armed Forces.
four-point program included: i) identification of drug-addicted military
personnel in Vietnam; 2) institution of a detoxification program for
addicts before return to the United States; 3) expansion of treatment
programs ;n the United States; and 4) the development of a world-wide
program of identification and treatment. 102! Concomitant with his V.
directive to the Secretary of Defense, President Nixon requested that F
Congress initiate legislation authorizing the Armed Furces to keep drugdependent
personnel on active duty after their regular tours of duty for
completion of detoxification and rehabilitation programs. 103/
Following the President's directive, the Secretary of Defense
issued a memorandum, also dated 17 June 1971, to the Secretaries of the
Armed
Forces and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff detailing DoD
policy on identification, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug users.
The ultimate effect of President Nixon's antidrug initiative was
a series of drug treatment and control programs which were immediately
implemented in Vietn&m. Thus the first fruits of the Secretary of
S~Defense's
memorandum was a Drug Abuse Prevention an~d Control Plan released
by the Secretary of the Army on 3 September 1971.
The
This plan provided for
an increased effort in all current Army programs, and for new and expaided
initiatives in the iWentification, treatment, and rehabilitation of
militdry drug abusers.
Within thet President's own executive office, Dr. Jerome Jaffee,
former head of the Illinuis Drug Rehabilitation Sytem, was appointed as the
President's Advisor on Drug Problems and Director, Special Action Officer
for Drug Abuse Prevention. 1G4/
The New York Times on June 15 1971 gave the major reasons for
President Nixon.'s initiative as due to the gowing e',idence of widespread
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