Bourne, Peter

Peter Bourne (1939–) was an early proponent of treatment options for drug addicts who became involved in a controversy involving use of illicit narcotics while he was serving under President Jimmy Carter as a special assistant to the president for health issues. In addition to his position under Carter, Bourne has held various other positions, attesting to his training as an anthropologist and physician, and has also worked as an author, political consultant, and international civil servant, including work for the United States government and the United Nations (UN). Born in the United [Page 102]Kingdom, Bourne holds an MD from Emory University, which he received in 1962, and an MA in anthropology from Stanford University, which he received in 1969. After graduating from Stanford, Bourne entered the U.S. Army as a captain. Bourne was assigned to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), a part of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command. Bourne was deployed for a year in Vietnam as head of the Army's psychiatric research team. While in Vietnam, Bourne was awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, and the Combat Medical Badge. Bourne's service in Vietnam altered his perceptions and beliefs regarding the war, and following his return he became active in the anti-war movement in America.

After 1971 Bourne became increasingly active in American politics. He became a member of the Democratic Party and worked in the offices of the newly elected Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter. While working for Carter, Bourne was successful in installing and running the first state-wide drug treatment program in Georgia. Bourne believed that by reducing the number of people addicted to drugs, the number of drug users could also be reduced. A trusted advisor, Bourne was influential in persuading Carter to run for the presidency of the United States. Following Carter's election in 1976, Bourne was appointed the special assistant to the president for health issues. In this role, Bourne advocated for increasing drug-treatment options and for a more lenient approach to drug policy. He persuaded President Carter to state that the penalty for using a drug should be no more damaging than the drug itself.

Bourne was forced to resign based upon incidents stemming from his presence at a National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Christmas party in 1977 where marijuana and cocaine were allegedly used. Calls for Bourne's resignation began almost immediately after reports of the party appeared in Jack Anderson's nationally syndicated column. The story was leaked by NORML Director Keith Stroup because he believed Bourne should pursuing marijuana legalization more vigorously. Although Bourne was able to avoid being terminated for attending the NORML party, he was then caught signing a prescription for 15 tablets of Mandrax (commonly known as Quaaludes) for a White House colleague. Bourne got caught signing illegal prescriptions by pure chance, because physical therapist Toby Long, for whom the prescription was written, was getting the prescription filled at a pharmacy where State Inspector Kathleen Watt was making a routine inspection. Watt attempted to confirm Long's prescription, but when she tried to telephone the doctor she found the number had been disconnected. Watt then contacted the police, who later found the patient's name on the prescription was false and arrested Long.

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