Carter announced his war on heroin addiction would begin immediately with establishment of four drug treatment centers in Atlanta and others in the near future in Augusta, Savannah, Macon, and Columbus.
"To those of us who work daily in the state and local levels of government it is imperative that we and the Federal government muster the courage to confront the conflicting and confusing usses that surround the subject of drug abuse..."
"Our biggest single obstacle so far has been the fragmentation of effort in drug addiction control among so many governmental agencies, each of them jealously guarding its independent prerogative and authority. Within Georgia, I am using the full persuasive influence of the Governor's office to overcome this handicap among the state, county and city agenices. The help readily being offered must be part of this single effort within our state, and legislation concerning treatment, and perhaps control of drug addiction and alcoholism should certainly consolidate federal efforts."
"I have wrested from all state agencies, about 14, their previous authority, fragmented as it was, to control the drug problem and have placed it in a single state agency headed by Dr. Peter Bourne."
"Let's make no mistake." Carter said. "Heroin addiction among servicemen is due in large part to low morale, weak discipline and poor educational programs. In short, military leadership is part of the problems."
