Drug Abuse Measure Enacted by President

President Nixon yesterday signed the Drug Abuse Control Bill and called for nationwide support of the measure.

"I hope the whole nation will move with us to save the lives of our young people who would otherwise be hooked on drugs and be physically, mentally and morally destroyed," said Nixon.

The new law reduces the possession or use of narcotics from a felony to a misdemeanor and allows for probation, parole, or dismissal of charges at the discretion of a judge, Maximum penalty cannot exceed one year's imprisonment on the first offense.

The measure does, however, increase penalties for sale of such drugs, which will now range from five years to life, depending on the nature of the sale and the type of drug involved.

The bill also provides for 300 new federal narcotics agents, and use of the controversial "no knock" power with a judge's authorization.

The federal government will tighten record-keeping on legal manufacture of the drugs, while expanding educational and rehabilitation programs.