Kansas Rep Steve Alford Regrets Saying Blacks Prone To Drug Abuse

ULYSSES, KS — Republican state Rep. Steve Alford of Ulysses has apologized for offending anyone after the 75-year-old lawmaker suggested black people are genetically predisposed to drug abuse. Alford said in a statement he was wrong and regrets the comments he made on Saturday at a public meeting at a hospital.

"I sincerely apologize to anyone whom I have hurt," he said.

When asked about his remarks on Monday, Alford had declined to elaborate other than to say: "To me, that's neutral." He added that he's not racist.

At the time, Alford was making his case against legalizing any use of marijuana. He suggested it and other drugs were originally banned partly because blacks were "basically users" and "responded worst" to the drugs because of their "character makeup — their genetics and that."

Alford said in his statement that he opposes marijuana legalization because doing so would pave the way for people to seek harder drugs.

Republican House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. on Monday said Alford's original remarks don't align with the Legislature's views and were disappointing. Ryckman said GOP leaders will talk with other lawmakers and the Legislature's staff about how to respond.

Republican House Majority Leader Don Hineman said he doesn't condone the remarks.

The Garden City Telegram first reported on the statement Monday and posted a video of it to YouTube.

Photo credit: John Hanna/Associated Press