University Daily Kansan, March 22, 1985
NATION AND WORLD
Page 12
Official wants to derail liquor, drugs
By United Press International
WASHINGTON — A top federal safety official said yesterday that two train derailments that killed seven people within the last year might have been prevented if the government had rules banning alcohol and drug use by railroad crews.
Jim Burnett, head of the National Transportation Safety Board, said at a board hearing that it was incredible that no federal regulation prohibited a locomotive engineer from operating a passenger or freight train after using illegal drugs or alcohol to excess.
He said the National Transportation Safety Board, which had only an advisory and investigative role, recommended more than 10 years ago such regulations be adopted, similar to those required for airplane pilots. But he said the Federal Railroad Administration had been stalling on the issue.
"AND WHILE WE wait, the fact is that railroad accidents involving drugs or alcohol have continued," he said. "Must the American public wait for tragetroffers on the FRA in order for the next step to be taken?"
The hearing was called to investigate two separate accidents on the Burlington Northern Railroad in April 1984.
The first, in Wiggins, Colo., killed five crew members and injured two others. Two freight trains derailed, destroying 26 cars. Total damage was estimated at almost $4 million.
The second derailment near Newcastle, Wyo., killed two crew members and injured two others, causing damage in excess of $1.3 million.
The board concluded after a lengthy hearing yesterday that the probable cause of the Wiggins accident was that the engineer and other locomotive crew members fell asleep and missed the signal lights. The board said the men had been drinking.
In the the Newcastle accident, the board found that the crew was asleep and the engineer's performance was impaired by the use of marijuana.
A spokeswoman for the railroad administration said the agency was working on rules prohibiting alcohol and drug use and providing for post-accident testing. She said the rules should be handed down in the near future.
Although railroads do prohibit drug and alcohol use, Burnett said, the industry generally has done a poor job in policing itself.
Customs to publicize names of smugglers
By United Press International
WASHINGTON — The Customs Service announced yesterday that it would publicize the names of people caught smuggling small amounts of drugs into the United States even if they were not criminally prosecuted.
The move comes one day after Attorney General Edwin Meese's exhortation that occasional users of drugs were "supporting those who deal in terror, torture and death." Customs officials said their announcement was not related to Meese's statements.
Kevin Zeee, national director of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the new stance by government officials was a sign of desperation prompted by increasing drug importation. He said the solution was to decriminalize marijuana.
"The biggest assistance to marijuana and cocaine smugglers is illegality," Zeese said.
William VaRaub, Customs commissioner, said in a statement that those caught smuggling small amounts of illegal drugs had not always been arrested and prosecuted in the past.
"Some people who smuggle small amounts of drugs have been previously allowed to walk away with just a fine, and no one would ever know about it." Von Raab said. "No, the police would not fine the fine, but they will also have the word of their crime made available to the press."
Customs spokesman Dennis Murphy said the small amounts, usually thought to be for personal use, could be about a half gram of cocaine and from 1 ounce to 6 ounces of marijuana. He said the fine for an ounce of marijuana was about $75.
Beginning later this month, Customs will make available weekly each individual's name, address, occupation and the type and quantity of drugs being smuggled. Murphy said newspapers already were requesting the information.
Man battling cancer locates lost siblings
By United Press International
HOUSTON — A man in need of a bone marrow transplant to battle leukemia yesterday met for the first time his brother and sister he who hopes can save his life.
Steven Akin, 24, given up for adoption in Marina, Texas, in the early 1960s, met his sister Barbara Davis and brother John Davis in a cheerful reunion at Houston Intercontinental Airport.
"Until January, I didn't know I had anyone else." Akin said. "This is great. I can't keep from being optimistic."
Doctors at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute will conduct tests on the brother and sister today to determine whether either has bone marrow compatible with Akin's.
A hospital official said a blood test would be taken and the results won't be known until next week. If the test shows the possibility of a
match, further tests will be performed.
Earlier tests on Akin's twin sister and another sister determined their marrow could not be used for a transplant.
Akin was one of seven children either placed for adoption or abandoned by their parents. One child died as an infant and another died three months ago of cancer. The father also died of leukemia.
Akin, a chemical plant worker in Victoria, Texas, has had leukemia for two years. A month ago, he began searching for the two missing siblings, who were left in foster care in Chicago in 1957.
Publicity about his search drew help from Truth Seekers in Adoption, a non-profit organization, which was able to contact Barbara Davis, who knew she was Lillian's sister.
Barbara Davis said the three were able to exchange information, such as their mother's middle name.
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