Tracknum: 1467.3.0.6.32.20001016092746.00864c20
Pubdate: Mon, 16 Oct 2000
Source: Reuters
Copyright: 2000 Reuters Limited.

MCCAFFREY TO LEAVE U.S. DRUG CONTROL POLICY OFFICE

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House drug control policy director Barry 
McCaffrey announced on Monday he will resign two weeks before the 
inauguration of President Clinton's successor in January.

In a statement McCaffrey said he will leave his job on Jan. 6, meaning he 
would not be a part of the next administration. Either Democratic Vice 
President Al Gore or Republican Texas Gov. George W. Bush will be 
inaugurated as the next president on Jan. 20.

McCaffrey, a retired Army general, will be concluding 40 years of public 
service. He plans to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

McCaffrey said he appreciated Clinton's commitment to reducing drug abuse 
as well as the bipartisan support of the Republican-controlled Congress.

"Since 1996 we have taken important strides in addressing a problem that 
costs our society 52,000 deaths and more than $110 billion every year," he 
said.

McCaffrey played a key role in persuading Congress to approve $1.3 billion 
to help the Colombian government fight the drug trade. Colombia produces 90 
percent of the cocaine in the U.S. market as well as up to two-thirds of 
the heroin on the East Coast.

McCaffrey said he was proud that adolescent drug-use rates have decreased 
by 21 percent over the past two years and that drug-related crime has 
dropped dramatically.

"Drug-related murders are at their lowest point in over a decade, dropping 
by more than 50 percent since 1989," he said.

Bush has attacked the Clinton administration's record on drug control and 
pledged to do more to reduce America's dependence on illegal drugs if elected.