Narcotics and the Family

On this broadcast of Maincurrents, Lee Graham (moderator) interviews:

George M. Belk, root causeUS Bureau of Narcotics
Renée Buse, author "The Deadly Silence"
William Crawford, Synanon, Green Farms, Connecticut
Rabbi Richard I. Schachet, Samaritan Halfway Society

On the topic "Narcotics and the family," the group discusses the effects of different drugs and what might be the cause of addiction. Schachet argues that addicts are the product of disturbed families in which parents place too much stress on their children to succeed. He laments fathers are stepping back from a traditional patriarchal role and mothers are "wearing the pants."

The other panelists disagree and insist that these kind of generalizations are not valid. Crawford, a former addict himself, describes common characteristics of drug abusers. He suggests that drug addiction is not the product of household or socioeconomic environments but rather due to compulsive behavior of the addict.

Graham closes the program by asking each panelist to suggest the best method to rid drug addiction, "this terrible menace to our society."

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 151627
Municipal archives id: T1600