Rep. Badham’s Other Drug Talk
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Reading about Rep. Robert E. Badham and his recent visit to Orange Coast College to talk about the evils of drugs brought back similar memories of an earlier visit when Badham was just an assemblyman.
Back in 1972, Badham came to the campus to talk drugs. Then he had to face the general student body, rather than a carefully selected group of students predisposed to his views.
Some students defended the use of the “drug” marijuana. Badham told about the marijuana “reefer” he kept in his school desk for two years before he bravely decided to dump it, not smoke it.
Such resolve lasted him through life long enough to lambaste the students who told him he had no business running their lives. Does drug-testing violate our rights? Sure, he admits, but we need it anyway.
What would Badham’s reception have been before the general student body? Maybe not so monochromatic. But why take chances--better to have a controlled group--better for the image. No impertinent challengers!
DAVID G. PORTER
Anaheim
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