Pubdate: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 Source: Orange County Register (CA) Copyright: 2000 The Orange County Register Contact: P.O. Box 11626, Santa Ana, CA 92711 Fax: (714) 565-3657 Website: http://www.ocregister.com/ U.S. COCAINE, HEROIN ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE The prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen to record lows and the drugs remain widely available, federal officials say, while insisting that progress is being made against drug use in the United States. In remarks prepared for presentation today before a House Appropriations subcommittee in Washington, White House drug-control policy director Barry McCaffrey cites declines in youth drug use and drug-related crime during the past year. But he also notes that heroin has become more popular among young people and says methamphetamines have a "serious potential nationally to become the next 'crack' cocaine epidemic." - --- MAP posted-by: Greg