National League of Cities	1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20004 (202) 626-3000	Officers President Terry Goddard Mayor. Phoenix, Arizona First Vice President Bob Bolen Mayor, Ft, Worth. Texas Second Vice President Sidney J.Barthelemy Mayor, New Orleans. Louisiana Immediate Past President Pamela P Plumb Councilor, Portland, Maine Executive Director Alan Seals
A CALL TO ACTION ON DRUGS!!!

An Open Letter to Municipal Leaders

From Terry Goddard
President, National League Of Cities
Mayor, Phoenix, Arizona

Dear Municipal Official:

I am taking the extraordinary step of writing directly to municipal leaders to ask that we re-dedicate ourselves and our communities to the national crusade against drugs and drug-related crime.

President Bush called drugs "a scourge on our society" when he announced his national drug strategy. City leaders have fought that scourge for years, and virtually alone. We understand the pain, the hurt and the frustration being expressed in our communities as we witness the destruction of our neighborhoods and the real casualties of this war — OUR YOUTH.

We applaud the President and Director Bennett for their forceful statements and comprehensive plan. But for the President's plan to succeed, we must have the resources needed for victory.

While there may be some differences in approach, the Congress — both the House and Senate — are addressing the issue of drugs and exploring various legislative remedies. I am calling on the membership of the National League of Cities — state municipal leagues, mayors, council-members — and Congressmen and Senators, to join me in fighting to win the war on drugs.

Here's what we must do.

STEP #1: DEMAND THAT ADEQUATE, DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CITIES AND TOWNS BE MADE AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY

Through letter writing campaigns, telephone calls, press conferences, letters to the editor, community rallies and meetings with your congressional delegations, local elected officials need to send a clear message to President Bush and the Congress. That message should stress the following four points:

• Sufficient Funding. There must be allocated no less than $5 to $6 billion dollars in net new resources from the federal government to wage this war on drugs. It has been estimated that it will take approximately $10-$12 billion to pay for drug testing and prison construction alone. The $700 million proposed by the President is grossly inadequate to wage a serious effort.

• Direct Local Assistance. In order for local governments to play a meaningful role, federal funding should be both flexible and direct. We propose a block grant form of assistance directly to local governments. Such a system would eliminate the current delay and bureaucracy inherent in providing assistance through another layer of government.

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• Funding Shell Game. If this is truly a national priority, as the President has said, it should command at least as much attention as the Savings and Loan bailout. Additional funding can and must be found — without diverting funds from existing municipal priority programs —to address an issue that affects the lives of all citizens.

• Comprehensive Planning. A national policy must focus equal attention on education, treatment, prevention, law enforcement, research and housing. Only through a comprehensive strategy can we hope to get at the root cause of the issue.

STEP #2: ORGANIZE LOCALLY TO SPREAD THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE

At the local level a number of activities can be undertaken to express your concern and determination about this crisis. The following are a few suggestions you might want to consider:

• Congressional Outreach. Since Congress is playing a key role in determining the level of funding and identifying where the funds will come from, it is vitally important that you focus direct attention on them. Both local officials and state municipal leagues should arrange to meet with congressional representatives, in their district offices, to discuss with them your viewpoint on how to address the drugs issue. It is critical that the members of your congressional delegation understand the nature of the problem from a local perspective. When it comes time for them to vote on various measures, the "local perspective" could be a deciding element.

• Individual Leadership. In order for the local government message on drugs to have any impact, special emphasis must be placed on the media — both electronic and print. Press con-

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ferences and briefings, appearances on radio talk shows, meetings and editorial boards, and poster campaigns are some of the ways to get the attention of the press. Invite the press to your office to discuss this issue — the press can be a valuable ally in your anti-drug activities.

• Cities Fight Back Against Drugs Week. Cities and towns, the President and Congress should pass proclamations declaring December 3-9, 1989 as national Cities Fight Back Against Drugs Week. During this time, you should coordinate with your congressional delegation in sponsoring special anti-drug programs with schools, churches, law enforcement personnel, and other community leaders to bring people together to discuss the issue of drugs in your community and what can be done — through joint community action — to address this problem. Community rallies and forums also should be organized to highlight the importance of drug education, prevention and treatment.

• State Municipal League Activities. State municipal leagues can reach out to their member cities to find what local initiatives are being implemented and send out special mailings publicizing innovative ideas. Conferences and workshops can be conducted to bring elected officials together on a statewide basis to focus attention on the anti-drug message. Press statements, letter writing campaigns and antidrug rallies and forums on a statewide basis also are effective mechanisms for sending a positive message to both your state government and Washington.

The nation's cities and towns are on the front lines of this battle.

We must send a clear message that drugs and drug abuse WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN OUR COMMUNITIES!!!

November 1989 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 13