12/10/94
WASHINGTON, DEC. 9 -- Reacting to news that President Clinton asked Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders to resign today, Drug Policy Foundation Executive Director David C. Condliffe issued the following statement:
"President Clinton knows what a tough, good woman he got rid of today. Joycelyn Elders had the courage to say things that needed to be said. Today's news is a great loss to the administration and to the nation.
Dr. Elders' opinion that drug legalization should be studied is correct. It's too bad that President Clinton couldn't see that. The president's handlers would rather sweep the question under the rug and continue with failed drug policies that promote violence and disease. Dr. Elders challenged that conspiracy of silence and was attacked for it.
"Joycelyn Elders has been controversial because she pulls no punches. Unfortunately, that attitude appears to be no longer welcome as the White House repositions itself for the Newt era.
"If this president wants to succeed, he had better get some spine. Why is it that in this country we have the money to research dozens of harmful things like new weapons systems, but we don't have the will to study potentially helpful new drug policies?"
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