3/29/95
ACTOR CARROLL O'CONNOR SUGGESTS LEGALIZATION
IN WAKE OF SON'S DRUG-RELATED SUICIDE
Bulletin from the Drug Policy Foundation:
In a news conference today, Weds. March 29, actor Carroll O'Connor, TV's
"Archie Bunker," suggested that drugs should be legalized. What
made the statement unique was that it came after O'Connor learned that
his son, Hugh, 33, had committed suicide yesterday, reportedly in frustration
with his own inability to shake a cocaine habit.
More details will emerge later, but the TV news last night had O'Connor
stating that Hugh was unwilling to go into drug treatment for the third
or fourth 6- to 12-month stay over a 16-year history of drug abuse. Instead,
he chose suicide, and called his father before shooting himself.
At the news conference, according to the United Press International wire,
O'Connor said that something has to be done to "get rid of this menace."
Then he added, "I'll say this: I'm not sure we shouldn't legalize
it."
A reporter that called DPF and who saw the news conference said O'Connor
pointed to the fact that legalization would not bring his son back, but
it could reduce crime. It will be significant in the future to hear about
Hugh O'Connor's initiation in drug use and any run-ins with the criminal
justice system, as a way of understanding his father's comments. DPF is
trying to reach him through a publicist.
Dave Fratello/Rob Stewart
Drug Policy Foundation
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