DECRIMINALIZING DRUGS ON SUMMIT AGENDA

Decriminalization of drugs is one idea that will be discussed at this
weekend's summit on combating black-on-black violence, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush
(D-Ill.) said Monday.

Rush said everyone from mainstream African-American leaders to gang members
are welcome to attend, as long as they intend to work on reducing crime.

"A young person comes in [with] baggy pants, hip-hop attire, we can't say
you can't come here, OK, because I think that would further create
divisions," Rush said. "But what we can say is, `You've got to be part of
the solution.' "

Eight murders have occurred since July 1 between 35th and 55th streets
around the Robert Taylor Homes and Stateway Gardens, though police say the
motive in most of the shootings remains undetermined.

"It's a turf battle over drugs," Rush said. Chicago Housing Authority
demolitions have placed some gang enemies close to each other, fueling
tensions, he said.

Last week's slaying of Tsarina Powell, 12, who was killed in a spray of
gunfire aimed at her home in the 5900 block of South Honore Street, "was
probably one of the most callous killings that we've seen in recent times,"
Rush said.

"I believe that somehow we've got to look at, at least have a discussion
about . . . how do we take the profit out of drug use? And we've got to be
bold in it," he said.

Decriminalization is one possibility worth exploring, Rush said during a
meeting with the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board.

"There should be some open discussions pro and con about this issue," he
said. "We cannot deal with guns and gun legislation in isolation of the
drug wars that are occurring in our streets."

Another possibility would be to use "interveners" with street credibility
who could mediate between warring gangs, Rush said.

The summit is scheduled Saturday at Chicago State University.

"We cannot hide behind the fact that . . . part of our community is in
disarray, disorder, and the only leadership that exists is leadership of
negative forces," Rush said. "So the positive segment of our community has
to speak up."

He said the fatal shooting last fall of his son, Huey Rich, has intensified
his determination to combat crime in the black community.