548 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

The Commission is headed by Gerald Siegel, a Baltimore attorney
and former member of the House of Delegates. Its executive secretary
is David Nurco, assistant director of planning for the Maryland De-
partment of Mental Hygiene.

The Commission was established in 1965 by Governor Tawes to
determine the exact scope and nature of Maryland's narcotics problem
and to propose legislative measures and recommend administrative
programs to combat drug abuse and addiction.

In its original study, financed through a f 76, 000 Federal grant, the
Commission has worked with State and local human service, police
and education agencies to collect data on the incidence of drug abuse.
More than 130 separate agencies in Baltimore City and seven counties
were contacted.

Mr. Siegel said experts have assembled and analyzed these data, and
a report is now in preparation for the Governor and General As-
sembly.

In addition to the actual number of addicts and forms of addiction
— narcotics, barbituates, amphetamines — the study will attempt to
isolate characteristics of the addict population.

"To date the only thing we know that they have in common is the
use of drugs, " Mr. Siegel said. "We hope to assess what other common
psychological or physiological problems they have and also, where
known criminals are involved, to determine whether drug abuse or
antisocial behavior comes first. "

Data presently in hand will be clarified and refined through in-
depth studies under the continuation of the program. In addition to
continuing to work with State agencies, the Commission will attempt
to enlist the aid of general hospitals, Mr. Siegel said.

Governor Agnew called the additional grant "a significant expres-
sion of confidence by the Federal government in the important work
being done in Maryland in this field. "

"The study will serve as a pilot for the rest of the country, " he
added. "No one has done this type of intensive research or developed
the degree of cooperation and coordination with numerous service
agencies. Each state will learn from Maryland's experimentation how
to collect data of the addict population and administratively coordi-
nate the narcotics control effort.

"Mr. Siegel and the other members of the Commission are to be
commended highly for their dedicated efforts to arrive at solutions