Music, Media Glorify Drugs, Reagan Says

ARLINGTON, Va. — President Reagan complained Wednesday that the music industry and the media are providing children “with glorifications of drugs and violence and perversity,” and that pornographers have more rights than parents.

“I often think the real heroes of today are the parents, trying to raise their children in an environment that seems to have grown more and more hostile to family life,” the President said.

“Music and the media floods their children’s world with glorifications of drugs and violence and perversity--and there’s nothing they can do about it, they’re told, because of the First Amendment,” he added.

Reagan made the remarks during an address to a fund-raising luncheon for Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate Wyatt Durrette.

It was the second time Reagan has spoken out about rock songs with raunchy lyrics. He made similar remarks during an educational awards ceremony on the South Lawn on Oct. 1.

The Senate Commerce Committee held hearings on the subject last month to a standing room only crowd.