Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jan 2001
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2001 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact:  P.O. Box 2378, Boston, MA 02107-2378
Feedback: http://extranet.globe.com/LettersEditor/default.asp
Website: http://www.boston.com/globe/
Author: Robert S. Weiner, ONDCP

TEEN DRUG USE IS FALLING

A JAN. 4 NEWS story, which criticized Barry McCaffrey and the national drug 
policy, omitted the record of real results as laid out in the National Drug 
Strategy Report cited by reporter John Donnelly ("US report details losses 
in drug fight," Page A1, Jan. 4). Over the past two years, 
12-to-17-year-olds' drug use fell 21 percent (according to the respected 
Household Survey) and 34 percent over the past three years (according to 
the Pride Survey of more than 100,000 youths).

The number of drug-related murders dropped to the lowest point in over a 
decade, and workplace drug use has fallen to an 11 year low. Our source 
zone efforts cut coca cultivation in Peru by 66 percent and in Bolivia by 
55 percent since 1995, and Andean coca cultivation is down nearly 20 
percent overall.

In addition, McCaffrey made prevention a top priority. The $1 billion 
five-year youth antidrug media campaign is having a positive impact. it 
reaches 95 percent of parents and teens over seven times per week.

We shifted the way the criminal-justice system handles drug criminals away 
from just "tough on crime" to breaking the cycle of drugs and crime. The 
government had found that 62 percent of arrestees have tested positive for 
drugs.

The dramatic improvements are the direct result of the balanced and 
effective approach that White House Drug Policy Director Barry McCaffrey 
helped to engineer.

Robert S. Weiner is Chief of Press Relations, Office of National Drug 
Control Policy, Washington D.C.
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