Social Implication of Drug Abuse, Luncheon with Larry A. Bear

Larry A. Bear, Public Affairs Broadcaster for WABC and the former Commissioner of Addiction Services in New York City, speaks at the luncheon session of the Social Implication of Drug Abuse Symposium.

He says that the most significant problem is with young people who are not using drugs rather than young people who are currently addicted to drugs. Given the pressure and availability to use drugs, there is constant pressure on them to begin. We must provide them with meaningful information, "we have provided, garbage, lies, inconsequential nonsense, terror producing information."

With regard to education, he argues that we must also standardize the attitudes of educators and parents. They will find common ground when these authority figures are provided with information, not only on drugs but also the drug scene. Parents must demonstrate understanding and a willingness to examine their own vices. We need more programs for youth who are not yet addicted but are at risk and to increase the personnel hiring pool by providing training programs. He believes that Phoenix House is the best therapeutic community in the world but this approach, as well as hospitalization, is not the whole answer.

This WNYC mini-series on drugs and society was edited from a day-long symposium titled Social Implication of Drug Abuse, hosted by Henry S. [Entilly], Vice President of Spectrum Laboratories.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 151030
Municipal archives id: T7621