Pubdate: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL) Copyright: 2000 St. Petersburg Times Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/ Forum: http://www.sptimes.com/Interact.html Author: Janet L. Crist, ONDCP, Washington. D.C. Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1489/a06.html THE DRUG OFFICE RESPONDS The Scripps Howard News Service story you published on Oct. 5, "Drug czar's ad campaign investigated," is seriously in error and damages the reputation of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and its director. Neither the "drug czar" nor the office is a target of "a criminal investigation." In fact, congressional inquiries into expenses associated with the national youth anti-drug media campaign follow the office's aggressive actions to protect the public purse. The Office of National Drug Control Policy - not the General Accounting Office - is responsible for withholding payment of $18-million to other government agencies and private contractors because the reasonableness and allowability of those costs have not been established to the office's satisfaction. The office hired outside experts to review business plans submitted by a contractor to ensure cost effectiveness. ONDCP first called for an audit when it noticed billing irregularities. The office is transferring contract administration responsibilities from the Department of Health and Human Services to another department in order to scrutinize costs more closely. ONDCP welcomes oversight of this vital drug-prevention effort. Since its inception in 1998, adolescent drug-use rates have declined 21 percent. Americans can be proud of the campaign's success. Janet L. Crist, chief of staff, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake