MARINE HAD TAKEN DRUGS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31087, 16 June 1966, Page 15

MARINE HAD TAKEN DRUGS

(N.Z. Pre« Association — Copyright) WASHINGTON, June 15. A former Marine helicopter crew chief told on Tuesday how he mistakenly shot and wounded two South Vietnamese soldiers on a combat mission while under the influence of drugs, says United Press International.

The former Marine said he and others often took “goofballs” before going into battle and that no-one ever found out about it That went for the particular incident where he wounded a South Vietnamese officer, and a private, he said. The surprise witness, testifying at a Senate helping on widespread use of drugs was identified only as “Frank." He told how he graduated from barbiturates to heroin, and became an addict. He was introduced by the director of a New York clinic,

where he is taking treatment to break the habit It was “common practice for the younger people to get high on barbiturates," he said. They often were able to cover up by pretending they had been drinking, he said. Frank was introduced by Dr. Robert W. Baird, director of the Haven Clinic, New York. Baird said the former Marine was responding to treatment to rid himself of heroin addiction. He said there were at least 10,000 heroin and drug addicts in the armed forces.