The Daily Tribune from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin • Page 1

Marijuana By David Kimball Tribune Staff Writer Nobody really knows how many people use marijuana in Wood County. And to confuse things, many people haven't really decided exactly what kind of "drug problem" is caused by marijuana use in the community. In 1971, the Wood County Drug and Alcohol Council surveyed 75 to 80 per cent of the youths in the county hi 7th through 12th grades. The survey showed about 14 per cent of the group had experimented with marijuana at least once. In rural schools, only six per cent had tried marijuana, but in urban schools in the county, about 23 per cent of the students had tried the drug.

Wood County Dist. Atty. Harold LaChapelle now estimates marijuana use in the upper high school level is "23 per cent plus, plus, plus." This would suggest marijuana use in the area is near national averages estimated by the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse in its first report, last March. A second report is due next month. The commission reported that by the beginning cf 1972, about 24 million Americans had smoked marijuana and about S.3 million were "current users." Use was concentrated in the IS to 25-year-old group, in which 40 per cent had tried the drug.

"In some the figure is much higher," the report said. And among older teenagers in high school, use of the drug "has become almost as common," according to the commission. Recent varying estimates offered by one student and two former students of Lincoln High School placed the level of regular use by older teenagers at "10 per cent," "at least half," or "about two thirds." An undercover agent for the Wisconsin Department of Justice reported to local police that the per capita level of drug use, excluding heroin, was as high hi Wood County as in the Milwaukee and Racine areas, where drugs have been widely used for some time. While marijuana use is on the rise in this area, the use of "harder" drugs such as LSD and amphetamines is on the decline, according to reports by students, drug officers and Peter Plant, director of the New Ways Learning Center. The harder drugs seem to be passing out of fashion, according to one former user, because "after you know what they do to you, you don't want them anymore.

It's like having a bad hangover for two days," he said. What is the "pot" problem? See Page 9. Marijuana: Part 7 TM TTI A TT Hi LJAL LA JL TRIBUNE Fifty-Eighth Year-No. 16,985 INFORMING THE SOUTH COUNTY AREA OF WISCONSIN Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54494, Thursday, February 15, 1973 Single Copy 15 Cents Tough tactics of S. Viets foul up peacekeeping moves SAIGON (AP) Tough cop tactics of the South Vietnamese guards at Saigon's Tan Son Nhut Air Base are jarring the delicate peacekeeping machinery.

The Polish and Hungarian delegations to" the International Commission for Control and Supervision are threatening to move their troops out of the commission's compound at the base and take up quarters in downtown Saigon. Sources close to the commission say the Poles are furious because their chief delegate, Bogdan Wasilewski, has been stopped several times at the gates and required to show his identity cards although, his car flying the commission flag- Once, he was forced to let his car be searched. The Hungarians, most of them senior officers in distinctive pointed caps, object strongly to having to pass through the guard posts of another nation, particularly one whose peacekeeping activities they are supposed to be monitoring. Canadian officers in limousines and scout cars flying the red Maple Leaf flag have been delayed for as long as four hours at the main gate in almost invariably futile at- tempts to escort Canadian and U.S. journalists to their compound- "I try to hang as much shoulder out the window as possible every time I go "past that guard point so they'll see the gold bars.

But it doesn't always work," said a Canadian colonel. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese members of the Joint Military Commission say they complained this week to William H. Sullivan, visiting U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs, about their virtual imprisonment in a run-down barracks compound in a remote corner of Tan Son Nhut. Since their arrival in Saigon, the Communist delegates to the four-parry commission have let it be known that they welcome contact with Western journalists.

The South Vietnamese government blandly insists it is not preventing anyone from contacting them inside their heavily guarded compound; but, every time a reporter approaches the gates, he is "detained" and his press credentials are lifted. Pham Duong Hien, the government's- press chief, told newsmen last week that the government had no objections to their making contact with the Communists at their com- pound. He assured them that their difficulties at the airport were the result of a "lack of coordination" between officials and the airport authorities. Like the Vietnamese air force, Tan Son Nhut always has been a more or less independent center of power, politically apart from, and sometimes openly defiant of, the presidential palace and the downtown politicians. Two North Vietnamese representatives of the Joint Military Commission ran into trouble today in Hue, where a dozen South Vietnamese surrounded their car, beat on it with bamboo sticks and wet one of the men with some sort of liquid thrown into the car.

The assaiP ants backed away when an escort of South Vietnamese MPs got out of their car, and the North Vietnamese were not hurt. They lodged a complaint with the International Commission. The Vietnamese in Hue are particularly bitter against the North Vietnamese because of the massacre of thousands of civilians there by the Communists during the 1968 Tet offensive- The United States asked the Saigon government today to investigate Communist charges that tear-gas grenades were fired into their compound at Tan Son Nhut Wednesday night. A North Vietnamese spokesman said about 60 tear gas shells hit the compound and about 60 of the Viet Cong delegation were affected. A South Vietnamese spokesman claimed that the incident involved mosquito spray, not tear gas, and said it was "a very funny story." The Saigon government released hundreds more Communist prisoners today in Quang Tri Province below the demilitarized zone and at Loc Ninh, 75 miles north of Saigon.

It was the fourth day of prisoner releases. Lt Col. Le Trung Hien, chief spokesman for the Saigon command, reported that more than 2,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong have been released, including more than 600 women Viet Cong- He said the Communist side has released more than 70 South Vietnamese soldiers. Hien also reported there were 171 Communist violations of the cease-fire during the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. today, with 219 Communist troops and 54 South Vietnamese killed, 244 government troops wounded and 20 South Vietnamese missing.

SNOWMOBILING" TO CANADA Leaving for Canada this morning were, left to right, Lev! Poff 2010 "Daly Clayton Kinn, Royal Crest Court, Nekoosa; Paul Link, 2721 78th St. Leon Galganski, 3021 8th St. and Kenneth Foshey, 2821 Plover Road. Harley Suit, 78th St will accompany them in a truck, bringing needed gear and a spare snowmobile. (Tribune Photo) U.S.

Customs agents find 8 tons of grass Nixon says the consumer should foot bill for pollution-fighting action WASHINGTON (AP) President Nixon, urging Congress to act promptly on 19 backlogged bills to promote the environment and the nation's natural resources, said today the costs of fighting pollution should be reflected in consumer prices and "not in me federal budget." At the same time, Nixon said in a special message that "because there are no local or state boundaries to the problems of our environment, the federal government must play an active, positive role." He continued: "We can and -will set standards and exercise leadership. We are providing necessary funding support And we will provide encouragement and incentive for others to help with the job," After calling for enactment of 19 measures he proposed in the last Congress, dealing with topics ranging from safe drinking water to disposal of hazardous wastes, me President called for a basic new farm bill that would reduce federal subsidies and leave more decision-making to farmers. "We must reduce the farmer's dependence on government payments through reduced returns of sale of farm products at home and he said, and termed present dairy supports and wheat, feed grain and cotton allotments "drastically outdated." Setting forth guidelines for the fashioning of programs in the environmental-natural resources area, Nixon said the first need is to "strike a balance" between ecological and conservation interests and economic growth. This was the President's second statement in two days on the environment. As for combatting pollution, Nixon said: "The costs of pollution should be more fully met in the free marketplace, not in the federal budget.

For example, the price of pollution control devices for automobiles should be borne by the owner and the user and not by the general taxpayer. The costs of eliminating pollution should be reflected in the costs of goods and services. Another of the guidelines would make each individual responsible for his own home and workplace- The chief executive stated that some people predict inevitable ecological disaster and suggest ''we could never reconcile environmental protection i continued economic growth." SAN PEDRO, Calif. (AP) U.S Customs agents made their largest marijuana seizure ever with the confiscation of nearly eight tons of the drug from a Mexican registered freighter docked in Los Angeles harbor- A Bureau of Customs spokesman said Wednesday that the marijuana was contained in 384 wooden boxes aboard the "Don Miguel." The 150-foot freighter once knew movie glory as the ship which sailed "from tedium to apatthy" in the film "Mr. Roberts." Ironically, the award-winning movie "Mr.

Roberts," which starred Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon and James Cagney, concerned the captain's mania for a potted plant. The Don Miguel was being towed to Los Angeles to play a feature role in a forthcoming version of the NEC television series "Ironside" when customs agents boarded it. The ship had been renamed the "La-ro" and had been painted over to look rusty and decrepit for the "Ironside" epi- sode- The customs spokesman said that three of the freighter's crew of 15 were in custody while me remaining 12 and the five-man of the tugboat "San Jorge" were confined to their ships pending further investigation. Both the freighter and tugboat are registered in the Mexican port of Mazatlan. The spokesman said the marijuana was in the form of some 7,000 "bricks," each weighing 2.2 pounds.

He said they were packed in boxes marked "coffee." He said the seizure topped the previous high of some five tons confiscated about two years ago in San Francisco. The haul was reported to be the climax of a joint investigation involving the Bureau of Customs, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and police from suburban Orange, Calif. The customs spokesman not disclose the identities of the trio held in custody or what prompted the search. Assembly committee suggests delay of VTAE merger bill Freed POW develops hatred for his captors MADISON The Assembly's Education Committee voted 7-5 a to indefinitely postpone action on the controversial VTAE merger bill- However, the bill is Iike5y- to go to the Assembly floor in two to three weeks for action. Rep.

Herbert Grover, D- Shawano, committee chairman, favors fiie bill which would empower the state VTAE board to merge districts, and is expected to bring the matter to the Assembly, even though it has a negative recommendation from the committee. The committee took two votes Wednesday. On the first, members voted 7 to 5 against recommending approval of the bill and then voted 7 to 5 in favor of an indefinite postponement. State Rep. Marlm Schneider, D-Wisconsm Rapids, said today he expects Assembly Majority Leader Anthony D- Wausau, one of the co-sponsors of the legislation, to bring the bill before the full Assembly.

"I don't know how it's (the vote) going to go on the Assembly floor, but I'm sure it will be debated mere," Schneider said. Those committee Timbers' i for postponement Wednesday said they were hesitant to give appointed boards or bureaucracies' anymore i i Rapids, Wood County and other units of District 14, headquartered at Wisconsin Rapids, have opposed the bill introduced by Earl and state Sen. William Babhlch, D- Point, to pave the way for the merger of District 14 with District 15, centered at Wausau. Distnct 14 Board Chairman Frederick Wenzel of MarshfieM said he "was extremely pleased" with the committee action and credited the effort made by Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County and District 14 interests' with helping to sway the committee. i i Rapids Mayor Penza said "the action increases my faith in me fact that legislators do listen to the public." WATERFORD, Conn.

(AP) -A freed prisoner of war returns to the United States today after what his father describes as of imprisonment chained a snake- and anl-in- fested bamboo cage. Army Capt. George K. Wanat 27, was chained alone in the cage for five of his 10 months in Viet Cong hands, George K. Wanat Sr.

of Waterford said Wednesday after talking to his son by telephone. His other five months were shared with another American, the father said. The elder Wanat said in an interview that his son passed time with prayer and "intense study" of the ants in his cage. "He told me he was an expert en ants now," Wanat said. Wanat said his son was good spirits and sounded "very much like the rnan who left two years' ago" except for a deep hatred toward his captors.

"I'd kill -those bsstards if I ever saw them again," Wanat quoted his son as saying. "He told me they (the Vset Cong) spent about three months trying to break him down," Wanat said. "One of his punishments was being deprived of mosquito netting. He ended up with a bad case of malaria, but they wouldn't treat mm right away. About the time he thought he would die, they finally gave him something." Wanat eluded the enemy for 33 days after an ambush cut him off from the South Vietnamese unit he was advising- lie lost his; weapon in the ambush and cou'd only run to avoid capture, his father said, "The Viet Cong fed Wanat water and one bowl a day of r.ce and pork fat, but on one occasion there was a loaf of bread, the father said.

"I asked him if he rationed it, or what, and he told mz it lasted maybe 15 seconds," the elder Wanat said. Young Wanat's body is reportedly so distended from malnutrition that he cannot wear street clothes, the famer said. Snowmobilers begin ride to Canada Six area men left this morning on a snowmobile odyssey from Wisconsin Rapids to Canada. They left this morning from the Poff Restaurant, heading for Rhinelander, where they plan to rendezvous with 23 other snowmobilers tonight. From there, the group will leave Friday morning enroute to Canada, which they expect to reach by next Tuesday.

The six plan to return on their i to Rapids Sunday, Feb. 25. The Rhineiander group makes the trip annually, and Clayton Kinn and Leon Galganski made the trip last year. 'Gut bombs 7 are really good for you MILWAUKEE (AP) The hamburger, french fries and miik shake commonly ordered from a national quick service take-out chain are generally r.u- tntious. a nutritionist and biochemist contends.

Philip Derse of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation said he had found that who eat one or two hamburgers, fries and a shake get more than one-third of tJie recommended daily allowance for most nutritional measurements. Similarly healthful resai's were found for a deluxe hamburger or a fish sandwich in combmaLon with the French fries and milk shake, he said. Derse said the foundation, which is a contract research organization for industry and government, tested food from the chain's restaurants seven states. Dropping a milk shake from the order, he said, resulted in a big reduction of calcium and dropping freich fried potatoes reduced healthful amounts of vitamin and other nutrients. Once-Over THE DAILY TRIBUNE On the inside Assumption High wins sixth in row to keep share of league basketball lead; Lincoln High cagers to get last chance for first league victory.

See Page 6, Thirteen area wrestlers enter WIAA sectional meet at Schofield. See Page 7. Legislature's Joint Finance Committee favors sale of Adams County youthful offenders' institutions. See Page 9. Youngsters, oldsters in area celebrate Valentine's Day, See Photos, Page 9.

Daughters of American Revolution honor Good Citizens, essay contest winners. See Page 12. Brownie Scouts get new uniforms. See Page 13. Cuddle up a little closer Even though Valentine's Day is over, couples now have even a better excuse to cuddle; they'll have to to keep from freezing.

Tonight will be cloudy and very cold, with lows expected around 10 below zero. Friday should be partly cloudy, with highs around 10 above. The weekend will bring a slight warming trend, with daytime highs in the 20s. The high in Wisconsin Rapids Wednesday was 30 degrees, with a low of 13 and about an inch of snow. Today at 6 it was a nippy 7 de'S WORLD "How come, every time Dr.

Kissinger visits, you have your hair done?" SPAPJtRl.