People's DoctoMurdered!

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IRichard Tatt is shown here teaching another Detox worker how to use acupuncture. This is in[the revolutionary tradition of a doctor using a new technique on himself before anyone else.

. an unsuccessful attempt todestroy the Lincoln Detox

drug programDone •! Come! Unity Press (13 E 17 Street. NYC 10003 (212)675-3O43). a cooperative where we learned to do this printingThe press does not demand S from us or other movementpeople who print materials that provide equal access to thepoor. The press needs the broad support of many donations:monthly pledges of $2, $5 $?, energy, food, skills, jointbenefits, etc- to continue movement access to printingfacilities. Don t let this be the last month! YOUR MOVEIment

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People's DoctorMurdered!

On October 29, 1974 at 7:30 AM, Dr.Richard Taft was found dead in a storage closet inthe back of the auditorium of Lincoln Detox. Hewas one of the doctors who worked in the LincolnDetox drug program. We, his co-workers,believethat Richie was killed.

Richard was found lying on his side, with hislong sleeve shirt and dungaree jacket buttoned atthe cuff. An empty syringe was found along witha medical tourniquet and 7 empty glassine bags ofthe type that street heroin is sold in. However,there were no matches, no cooker or keys to theroom. Both doors of the storage closet were foundajar. These doors were always kept locked.Richard's wallet and money were found on his body.

The coroner's office reported finding noneedle marks and no heroin in his urine. Howeverheroin was found in his tissues. Richard's bodyhad a large bruise and indentation in the back ofthe head and scratches on his wrists. The causeof his death has not yet been determined.

The theory that he gave himself a fatal injectionis proven false on several counts: Richard was notaddicted to heroin or suicidal; if he had givenhimself an injection, he would not have had timeto roll down his sleeves and button them. A freshneedle mark should have been very easily found.Richard was lying in an extremely unnatural posi-tion, which raised the possibility that his bodyhad been placed in a container, like the trunkof a car, and then moved.

Two months prior to his death, Richard was shotat by unknown assailants. For the past couple ofmonths Richard had been carrying a weapon forpersonal protection. As recently as a week priorto his death, he stated to one of our workers thathe was in fear of his life and wanted to take aleave of absence.

On the day of his death, he was due to meet ahigh ranking Washington official about the fund-ing of the Lincoln Detox Acupuncture Program. Itmust also be pointed out that the moment the peoplefrom Washington walked into Detox, a telephonedbomb threat was received at the hospital.

These circumstances lead us to believe thatRichard met with some violence prior to his death,that he was shot up with heroin after death orjust prior to dying, and that the injection wasadministered by parties unknown.

Specific ThreatsOn May 15, 1974, the Nat ion a I Caucus of Labor

Committees(NCLC) attacked Lincoln Detox.Richard made an attempt to prevent these peoplefrom starting a confrontation at the hospital.Following this incident NCLC wrote a leaflet inwhich they accused Richard of being a "finger-man" for Lincoln Detox. This leaflet was followedby threatening phone calls to Richard's home. Itmust be pointed out that NCLC has a history ofattacking groups and individuals who try to helppoor and working people. Almost immediatelyafter his death, NCLC said on television thatRichard was a "brainwashed zombie," a "CIAagent, " and "a violent man.. .and it is not sur-prising that he met a violent death."

About a month before his death, Richard tes-tified in behalf of a Lincoln Hospital worker,James Richardson. This case involved the killingof a transit policeman by another policeman.Richard's testimony exposed the fact that JamesRichardson was deeply influenced by drugs whenthey attempted to extract a confession. This re-sulted in police officers making intimidating ges-tures towards Richard in the courtroom.

All of these facts were printed in a statementissued by the workers at Lincoln Detox within afew days of the incident. Since then, no publicreport has ever been issued by the police orcoroner's office concerning this bizarre occurence,despite vehement claims by his family and co-workers that this was murder.

The most likely explanation of this incident isthat Dr. Taft was murdered, by parties unknown inan extremely professional manner, with an obviousattempt to discredit the Lincoln Detox Program.

Big time dope pushers customarily use injections ofmassive quantities of heroin to eliminate their enemies

We believe that it is incorrect to make over-simplified conclusions about the identity andmotivation of Richard's killers. His life work wasthe struggle against drug addiction. His murderis part of an on-going systematic attempt to sabo-

tage this struggle. We can only understand whyand how Richard was murdered by understanding

Lincoln Detox history and the nature of allforces that promote and profit from drug addiction.

Lincoln Detox

The People'sProgram

Lincoln Detox, staffed mainly by people who

were themselves detoxified at the program, isknown as "The People's Program." It is located

in the South Bronx and has detoxified 35,000victims of methadone and heroin in the five years

of its existence.

Lincoln Detox is now using acupuncture as anon-chemical treatment for narcotic withdrawal.More information on acupuncture is given laterin this pamphlet.

At Lincoln the counselors are not afraid to saythat police and government officials at all levels

share in the corruption of dope pushing. Drugaddiction cannot be stopped if we look at it onlyas an individual problem.

CERTAINLY YOU FELLOWS WOULD BE WILLING TO TRADE

IN THOSE UGLY GUNS FOR A FEW OF THESE BEAUTIES.

Other Detox activities include the People'sProgram court collective, which recruits and as-

sists lawyers to help at least a few of the thousandsof poor people who are railroaded through the

courthouses into jail. They help organize rent-

strikes, building takeovers, women's health work

and organizations of construction workers. Thepeople at Lincoln Detox see that all these strug-gles and many more are necessary before the rootsof drug addiction can be ripped out of our land.

Political education classes at Lincoln Detoxattract 50-100 people daily. These classes pointout that Black, Puerto Rican and poor White

neighborhoods are war zones. The armies of slum-lords, script doctors, organized crime, greedy

drug companies, methadone pushers, corupt cops,and producers of rot-gut wine are plundering our

communities.

Victims of heroin are low paid thieves for themob. Many muggings and burglaries are caused

by the drug plague. Drugs are the main reasonwomen and young boys sell themselves into pros-titution. Poor families are shattered by drug and

alcohol use. Addicts, who are themselves victims,get blamed for crime, while rich dope dealersget away with murder.

methadonmethadone.

Robert Newmanmaintenance is shown

The Methadone PI agueHalf the clients who come ro Lincoln Detox

come with methadone habits. These peopleeither come from methadone maintenance pro-grams or buy methadone on the streets.

The people at Lincoln Detox know from experi-ence how addicting and deadly methadone is.Kicking a methadone habit on your own is extrem-eJy hard. It usually takes 2 to 3 months to kick amethadone habit and many well motivated peoplecan never withdraw from it because of the extrem-ely severe withdrawal symptoms of insomnia,

diarrhea, depression and bone pain. No otherdrug has withdrawal symptoms that are in anywayas prolonged or severe as methadone. Simultaneousaddiction to barbiturates and alcohol are also quitecommon among methadone victims.

Lincoln Detox is the only place in New Yorkwhere methadone victims can be detoxifiedwhenever they want.

The dangerous physical effects of methadonemaintenance are now well known. Methadonecauses exessive sweating, painful constipation,sex hormone decrease and causes some people'sbodies to swell up with fluid. Methadone hidessymptoms of serious physical disease. All babiesborn to women on methadone will be addicted.These babies go through withdrawal 2-3 daysafter birth. An alarming 22% have seizures andbrainwave changes. Eight Bronx methadone bab-ies died of "crib death," an unexplained, un-predictable type of death which is very rare.Methadone babies die of crib death 17 timesasoften as other babies.

According to the Drug Enforcement Adminis-tration, in New York City, methadone overdosedeaths—by five to one—outnumber heroinoverdose deaths.

The Government is a Dope PusherOver 100,000 people are on methadone mainten-

ance programs which are almost totally financed byfederal grants and medicaid payments. Public

schools, especially in Black and Latin neighbor-hoods, require 10cc of grade school children to use

ritalin tor many years. This dangerous stimulant issupposed to be a treatment for so-called "hyper-

active children." Virtually the only drug treatmentottered by the Veteran's Administration for thethousands of vets who came home with serious drug

problems is methadone.Many people who are not addicted at the time,

are forced onto methadone maintenance by judges,parole boards and the welfare department. For

drug victims it 's much easier to get on welfare,if they are on methadone maintenance programs.Many are tricked into believing methadone is a

cure and then realize that they have beencruelly betrayed. Maintenance programs won'tlet you detoxify, even if you are pregnant, un-

less they feel you are "psychologically ready."Everyone who is in a maintenance program is

registered on computer tapes with a city drug

agency and also the private "Community Treatment

Foundation" at the Rockefeller Institute. The com-puter system makes it very easy to locate and

control victims of methadone maintenance.Almost routinely, prisoners are offered meth-

adone maintenance as an alternative to serving

their prison sentences. We have received many letters

from prisoners who chose to remain in jail, ratherthan be on methadone maintenance.

Nixon's special office for drug abuse received $1.7billion for their budget in 1972. 95% of this moneysupported methadone maintenace rather than drug freeprograms. Most of this money was channeled thru the

Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA)which also funds lobotomies, psycho-surgery, and

behavior modification programs in prisons. LEAA sup-plies tanks and sophisticated weapons to local police

departments. LEAA does many of the same things inthis country that the CIA does in other countries.

Robert Newman (right), ex-head of NYC methadonemaintenance is shown dispensing methadone.

The Methadone PI agueHalf the clients wno come ro Lincoln Detox

come with methadone habits. These peopleeither come from methadone maintenance pro-grams or buy methadone on the streets.

The people at Lincoln Detox know from experi-ence how addicting and deadly methadone is.Kicking a methadone habit on your own is extrem-eJy hard. It usually takes 2 to 3 months to kick amethadone habit and many well motivated peoplecan never withdraw from it because of the extrem-ely severe withdrawal symptoms of insomnia,

diarrhea, depression and bone pain. No otherdrug has withdrawal symptoms that are in anywayas prolonged or severe as methadone. Simultaneousaddiction to barbiturates and alcohol are also quitecommon among methadone victims.

Lincoln Detox is the only place in New Yorkwhere methadone victims can be detoxifiedwhenever they want.

The dangerous physical effects of methadonemaintenance are now well known. Methadonecauses exessive sweating, painful constipation,sex hormone decrease and causes some people'sbodies to swell up with fluid. Methadone hidessymptoms of serious physical disease. All babiesborn to women on methadone will be addicted.These babies go through withdrawal 2-3 daysafter birth. An alarming 22% have seizures andbrainwave changes. Eight Bronx methadone bab-ies died of "crib death," an unexplained, un-predictable type of death which is very rare.Methadone babies die of crib death 17 timesasoften as other babies.

According to the Drug Enforcement Adminis-tration, in New York City, methadone overdosedeaths—by five to one—outnumber heroinoverdose deaths.

Dr. Taft was heavily involved in the development and research ofthe Lincoln Detox Acupuncture Program for the treatment of drugaddiction. This work has shown that acupuncture might totallyeliminate the need to use methadone as a narcotic treatment.

Acupuncture uses thin solid needles inserted atcertain points on the surface of the body to diag-nose and treat many diseases. The needles are sothin that little pain or bleeding occurs. Yourbody's natural reactions are stimulated as the need-les are vibrated by hand or by a battery run mach-ine. A properly placed needle can speed or slowyour heart rate or stop your nose from running.Inthe treatment of narcotic addiction, needles areusually placed on the surface of both ears and vib-rated gently for 30 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

Last year acupuncture was demonstrated to sev-eral hundred people in the Lincoln Hospital audit-orium. This is one of the statements made by apatient following treatment:Delfina: "I was sick--yawn ing, runny nose,tear-

ing eyes, pain in my bones. I was getting kind ofnasty. ..When the sister put the needles in my ears,it felt like a little pinch, no pain...she turned upthe dial and I started feeling nice. My nose andeyes stopped running. I started laughing and talk-ing. The head was like being straight, not high,not sick. This acupuncture started working in 2 or3 minutes.. .after the treatment I felt so good Irefused my methadone!"

Widespread use of acupuncture could deal acrippling blow to methadone profiteers, the AMA,methadone parole programs and Eli Lilly & Co.,producers of methadone.

While we are not sure who is responsible for thedeath of Dr. Taft, it is clear that powerful interestgroups in this country, who would be hurt by thesucess of acupuncture treatment for narcoticsaddiction, stand the most to gain from thisdespicable act and from discrediting the LincolnDetox Drug Program.

Man receiving ear acupuncture for treatmentfor narcotic withdrawal.

This pamphlet is produced by White Lightning-, arevolutionary organization founded by ex-addicts.Black, Latin and poor White neighborhoods arewar zones. The armies of slumlords, script doctors,organized crime, drug companies and corrupt copsare plundering our communities. For copies of thispamphlet or further information write to:

WHITE LIGHTNINGP.O. BOX 149JEROME AVE. STATIONBronx, N.Y. 10468

T h e f o M . w i n g i s a eu l co , w n i c h was w r i t t e n as am e m o r i a l ro R i c h a r d by his f r i e n d s and c o - wo rk e r s^

In Memory ofRichard Taft

Richa rd T a f t , a man, a doc to r and a b o v e al l , a r e v o l u t i o n a r y . As a manhe s u p p o r t e d t he r i g h t and f o u g h t t he w r o n g . T h i s p r i n c i p a l h e l i v e d byand d ied by . I t i s t h i s b a s i c p r i n c i p a l , h i s w a n t i n g t o do r i g h t , t h a tm o t i v a t e d him to f a c e his r e s p o n s i b i I i t es .

For over four y e a r s he s e r v e d in the S o u t h B r o n x c o m m u n i t y ,ded i ca t i ng h i s t i m e a n d k n o w l e d a e t o h e l p i n g p e o p l e a n d t e a c h i n gp e o p l e ' s m e d i c i n e t o B l a c k and L a t i n p e o p l e . He s e r v e d f o r one y e a r as3 m e d i c a l d o c t o r in the P e o p l e ' s P rog ram, L i n c o l n D e t o x . He wasinstrumental in t ra in ing p a r a - m e d i c s and r e s e a r c h i n g a c u p u n c t u r e as then o n - c h e m i c a l t r e a t m e n t f o r n a r c o t i c w i t h d r a w a l . I t i s p e r h a p s t h i si n v o l v e m e n t t h a t l ed t o h i s d e a t h .

I t was h is c o m m i t m e n t to f i gh t the wrong that made h im s tand up andf igh t A m e r i c a ' s r a c i s m : he t e s t i f i e d i n b e h a l f o f b r o t h e r J a m e s R i c h a r d s o nin his f r a m e - u p case fo r a l l e g e d l y k i l l i n g a p o l i c e m a n . R i c h a r d T a f the lped in the o rgan i z i ng of t e n a n t o r g a n i z a t i o n s to f i gh t l a n d l o r d s . Hesuppor ted t he f i gh t f o r f r e e d o m o f p o l i t i c a l p r i s o n e r s w i t h m o n e y ,phys i ca l and mora l suppor t . He d e d i c a t e d h is l i f e to he lp p e o p l e f i g h tt he i r a d d i c t i o n p r o b l e m s w i t hh i s m e d i c a l and a c u p u n c t u r ek n o w l e d g e . I t was th i s ded i -c a t i o n t ha t made h imc o n t i n u e h i s wo rk e v e nunder t h r e a t o f d e a t h ,even a f t e r be ing s h o t a t .R i c h a r d ' s d e v o t i o nto o t h e r s w i t hm i n i m u m s e l f -i s h n e s s w a ss h o w n in h iss e n s e o fr e s p o n s i b i l i t yin h i s wo rkand his w a r mh e a r t e d n e s sto al Ipeop le .

Stop The Drug Plague!