DRUGS BEHIND YOUTH CRIMES, SENATOR SAYS

WASHINGTON--Drugs are at the root of many of the problems facing young
people, said a Republican senator who is pushing legislation to strengthen
penalties for law-breaking juveniles.

"Without question, illegal drugs are a terrible influence on our young
people today," Sen. Christopher S. Bond (R-Mo.) said in the weekly GOP
radio address Saturday.

He cited increasing incidents of juveniles arrested for murder, rape and
armed robbery.

"We need to ask ourselves why young people now are committing crimes that
were once the province only of disturbed adults," Bond said. "Something has
crept into the psyches of our children. Too often they have become
desensitized to violence and have learned to devalue human life."

He called on Congress to pass laws ensuring more than a slap on the wrist
for violent juveniles.

One such measure, the Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Act, would allow
teenagers, ages 14 and up, to be tried as adults for the most serious
federal crimes, such as murder, rape and armed robbery, Bond said.

Under the proposal, juveniles tried as adults receive adult records, which
would be available to law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors and
school officials.

Copyright Los Angeles Times

Checked-by: Richard Lake