MAYOR SAYS TREATMENT IS BEST

Mayor Sheila Dixon yesterday declined to say whether she supports
decriminalizing the use of illegal drugs after being asked three times
about her views on the topic at a news conference.

"Drug addiction is a health issue, and drug treatment and providing
support services to families is so significant and key," she said in
response to a question from a television reporter. "That is where you
break the cycles."

Police say that much of the city's violence is fueled by the drug
trade in Baltimore, and some believe that decriminalizing drug use
would drastically reduce killings and shootings because crews would no
longer fight over territory and money.

In 1988, former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke created a national stir
when, during his first year in office, he advocated the
decriminalization of illegal drugs. He was re-elected twice.

Yesterday, when Dixon was pressed to clarify her views, she said: "I
already made my point. Provide people the resources they need."

A third reporter followed up, and again asking whether Dixon supports
decriminalizing drugs.

"I understood the question," Dixon said. "For those individuals who
are drug addicted, services are needed to treat and deal with the
families so this cycle can be treated."

Anthony McCarthy, Dixon's spokesman, later noted that as mayor, Dixon
does not have a role in passing state and federal drug laws.

City Councilman Keiffer J. Mitchell, a candidate for mayor in this
fall's election, declined to comment yesterday.