Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jun 2000
Source: Times-Herald, The (CA)
Copyright: {year} The Times-Herald
Contact:  440 Curtola Parkway, Vallejo, CA 94590
Website: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/
Author: Tony M. Goins

QUESTIONS FOR MCCAFFREY

One sentence in the recent editorial by the Drug Czar, Gen. Barry 
McCaffrey, leapt out at me. He said: "The so-called 'war on drugs' is a 
poor metaphor because it creates an expectation of speedy victory." I find 
it ironic that the very same people who first coined the war metaphor as a 
means of declaring those who use illegal drugs the enemy are now running 
away from it as fast as they can.

Having spent his entire adult life in this country's military, Gen. 
McCaffrey knows that, when it comes to war, the American people demand 
results. He now prefers the "cancer metaphor." Very well. Many people have 
suggested that a cure for cancer would have been found years ago if there 
were as much profit in curing the disease as there is in long-term 
treatment of it. I suspect the same is true for illegal drug abuse.

I do wish, at some point, some intrepid journalist would ask Gen. McCaffrey 
why, if we are not involved in a "war on drugs," we have a general in 
charge of our drug policy? Or, what conditions will have to exist for the 
ONDCP's budget to remain the same (or even decrease) instead of climbing 
precipitously every year?

Tony M. Goins
Oklahoma City, OK
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