Councilman Offers Unified Drug Strategy

LAGUNA BEACH — The community that once deemed itself a nuclear-free zone could be declared an “anti-substance abuse community” this year, according to City Councilman Steve Dicterow, who plans to bring such a proposal to his colleagues next month.

Dicterow said he wants the council to formally take a stand against substance abuse and drunk driving and to help coordinate efforts citywide to curb both.

“There are lots of good programs--through the hospital, schools, community,” he said. “Everybody’s out there like an island. We need coordinating.”

Dicterow’s ideas include giving students contracts to sign with their parents, each pledging to the other that they will not abuse drugs or drive drunk. He also would like local businesses to post signs in their windows saying they support the city’s efforts to curb substance abuse.

Dicterow, who is a board member of his local neighborhood watch organization, said he also wants those groups to watch for signs that drug dealing is taking place and to notify police.

Deputy Police Chief Jim Spreine said Thursday that it is too early to comment on Dicterow’s proposal.

“Right now it’s Dicterow’s program,” he said. “We don’t even know exactly where it’s going.”

School Trustee Kathryn A. Turner said she was unaware of Dicterow’s plan but generally favors stepping up the fight against drug abuse. The school district already has already adopted a “zero-tolerance policy” regarding drug use, Turner said, but she would welcome city involvement.

“I think we need to open the dialogue and look at any way possible we can to get community control of this,” she said.

Dicterow said he has met with members of the Police Department and the chamber of commerce as well as with one school board member and the head of the PTA. He plans to have additional discussions with school officials and other community groups before bringing his plan to the council.