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Conversation 508-006

TapeTape 508StartWednesday, June 2, 1971 at 8:55 AMEndWednesday, June 2, 1971 at 9:20 AMTape start time00:10:49Tape end time00:13:27ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon dictated a memorandum to John D. Ehrlichman and Egil Krogh, Jr. tasking them with developing recommendations to increase criminal penalties for drug suppliers and pushers. Nixon specifically expressed a willingness to consider extreme measures, including the death penalty, for major narcotics traffickers despite potential judicial resistance regarding stiff sentencing. He requested an urgent review of federal statutes to determine how they might be utilized to address the trafficking of hard drugs like heroin.

War on DrugsCriminal Justice ReformNarcotics TraffickingCapital PunishmentFederal Legislation
AudioNARA Description

On June 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 508-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 508-6

Date: June 2, 1971
Time: Unknown between 8:55 am and 9:20 am
Location: Oval Office

The President dictated a memorandum to John D. Ehrlichman and Egil (“Bud”) Krogh, Jr.

     Drug use
          -Recommendations for increasing criminal penalties
          -Pushers who are addicts


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BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1
[Personal Returnable]
[Duration: 4s ]


END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

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          -Courts possible reaction
          -Use of death penalty
          -Applicability of federal statutes
                                               4

                           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                      Tape Subject Log
                                        (rev. 10/08)
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

I'd like to see any recommendations which can be made with regard to increasing penalties for suppliers and pushers of drugs.
I don't know whether we can do this without addicts who would have to push for, to supply their habit.
In this whole field, I know the argument of criminologists is that if the penalty is too stiff, their courts will be less likely to condemn.
However, when it comes to the major suppliers of drugs, of narcotics, particularly hard drugs like heroin,
I wouldn't support anything up to the death penalty to deal with such people.
Of course, I realize the federal statute could only apply to interstate shipments.
But this should give us a pretty good handle on the problem.
on a urgent basis and give me a recommendation as soon as possible.
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