Barry lawyer addresses drug issues at Law School conference

Defense Attorney Kenneth Mundy, whose clients include former Washington, D.C. mayor Marion Barry, asserted that current legal practices do not adequately address the social causes underlying drug problems in an animated speech delivered to about 100 people Friday. Mundy, who recently represented Barry against drug charges, kicked off a weekend-long conference that explored how attorneys can help end the drug problem. The third annual conference was set up to commemorate Sadie T.M. Alexander, the first black woman to graduate from the University Law school, and was sponsored by the Black Law Students Association. In his hour-long speech, Mundy said new generations must be taught not to depend on drugs. He urged blacks to reaffirm their self-esteem by becoming involved in athletics and by learning about black history in the school. "Prevention is always more valuable than the cure," he said. The lawyer also said drug users should be rehabilitated instead of jailed, calling for the establishment of a nationwide system that would provide affordable housing for recovering addicts. He also supported legalizing marijuana, citing studies which show it is less dangerous than cigarette and alcohol use. "It is not as much a legal dilemma as it is a social dilemma," Mundy said of the nation's drug problem. The speech was followed by the unveiling of a portrait of Alexander, which will hang in the Law School. The conference, entitled "A Legal Approach to the Drug Problem," continued on Saturday with five seminars addressing different aspects of the drug dilemma. Panelists wrestled with such issues as the effects of drugs on children, whether traditional law enforcement measures work better than community activism, and if drug testing violates constitutional rights. Members of the Guardian Angels, the Nation of Islam, the Drug Enforcement Administration and several community organizations served as panelists. In a seminar about community activism versus traditional law enforcement, Samuel Murphy, a Nation of Islam member, said black people must learn that when they take drugs, they destroy the black community. "It's a conspiracy to keep us doped up and drugged up so we can never be men," he said. In the same seminar, Willis Jones, regional coordinator for the East Coast Alliance of Guardian Angels, said community programs do decrease drug use because the children are involved in youth programs and activities and do not need the drugs. Although conference co-chairperson Kimberly Kelly had expected more students to attend, she said she was pleased with the weekend. "The conference was very successful, although I had expected more," the first-year law student said. "I think that the timing wasn't good because many first-year law students had papers due." "It's one thing to plan and plan and plan, but it's another to see its fruition," she added. First year law student and registration chair Tanya Taylor said she was excited that students of other races and schools attended the conference because it improved the conference.

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