cannabisnews.com: Just One More Story Just One More Story Posted by FoM on September 24, 1999 at 11:38:24 PT Hugh Downs Leaves ABCNEWS for New Media Challenges Source: ABC News After 37 years of working together, Walters sits down to interview her longtime co-host and friend. On the other side of the microphone, Downs has an opportunity to share his personal stories and candidly express some of his more controversial views, including his opinion on the legalization of marijuana. Downs has rarely talked about his views on television. “I poked at it a little bit in years past," Downs says. “But the roof fell on me so hard that I decided to back off.” Downs has been writing a weekly “Insites” column for ABCNEWS.com since the news Web site launched in 1997. Working, Not Retiring For his 20/20 finale, Downs travels to Indonesia in cooperation with UNICEF to report on an epidemic problem: Iodine Deficiency Disorder, an illness caused by the lack of iodized salt. An estimated 40 million Indonesians suffer from the disease, which can cause mental retardation, cretinism and severe goiter. In Indonesia — and 100 other countries worldwide — a large-scale effort is underway to educate the population and restore this vital element to their diet. The technology for fortifying table salt with iodine is simple and inexpensive, and as Downs learns, the best way to protect the billion and a half people at risk for this often “hidden” problem. UNICEF and other organizations, including the International Council for Control of IDD, the World Health Organization and Kiwanis International are giving money and expertise to countries struggling with the disease. Saluting a Legend 20/20 Friday also takes a look back at Downs’ career in radio and television as a reporter, newscaster, interviewer, narrator and host. In his 21 years at 20/20, Hugh Downs has taken viewers from the North Pole to the South Pole and reported on everything in between — from the groundbreaking medical breakthrough of use of Vitamin A to prevent blindness in children, to chronicling his own successful double knee replacement surgery, to a deep-sea dive for a report on great white sharks. The tribute will also feature clips of his profiles of such personalities as Stephen Hawking, Patty Duke and the Dalai Lama. Downs began his career in broadcasting as a radio announcer in Lima, Ohio, at the age of 18. In an attempt to “repot himself every decade,” Downs’ experience in television runs the gamut. He helped found The Tonight Show with Jack Paar — 1957; anchored the Home show, Concentration, The Today Show (1962-71), and hosted PBS’ Over Easy. He became the anchor of 20/20 in 1978. Chat With Hugh Downs 4PM ET Friday September 24,1999http://chat.abcnews.go.com/chat/chat.dll?room=hughdowns990924 Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 25, 1999 at 10:25:14 PT: ABC 's 20/20 Hugh Downs, Drug Policy Insanity! Transcript: ABC 20/20 Hugh Downs, Drug Policy InsanityFri, 24 Sept 1999 ABC NEWS 20/20American Broadcasting Company http://www.abcnews.go.com Note: that this is only a portion of a one hour program dedicated to Hugh Downs' last night on 20/20. ABC 20/20 HUGH DOWNS, DRUG POLICY INSANITY BARBARA WALTERS: Have there been issues that you would like to have spoken out on, because you have some very strong opinions,... HUGH DOWNS: You bet.BARBARA WALTERS: ....That you have not been able to? This is your chance.HUGH DOWNS: It is, isn't it? As you know from 20/20 a couple of times back, I have made comments about the insanity of our drug policy in this country. BARBARA WALTERS: Are you for the legalization of marijuana? HUGH DOWNS: The decriminalization of marijuana, yes. I think that would be important, particularly the medical use of it. I think it's ludicrous that states have voted that a medical use is a proper use of that, and yet the federal government countermands that and causes problems for sick people. But I am in favor of it. BARBARA WALTERS: And this is something up until now you've not been able to talk about on television? HUGH DOWNS: No. A couple of times I poked at it a little bit in years past, but the roof fell on me so hard that I decided to back off. Copyright: © 1999 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. ABC 's 20/20 Hugh Downs, Drug Policy Insanity [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: