Pubdate: Thu, 10 May 2001 Source: New York Times (NY) Section: Boldface Names Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298 Author: James Barron SEEKING COLLEGIAL COMFORT Aaron Sorkin, executive producer of "The West Wing," surfaced on the East Coast yesterday, three weeks after he was arrested on the West Coast on drug possession charges. "When you feel stupid and embarrassed, facing a ballroom full of distinguished people in your industry is just what the doctor ordered," he told the International Radio and Television Society Foundation in Manhattan, which gave him an award for his Emmy-winning work on the NBC drama. He was arrested at the airport in Burbank, Calif., last month, accused of carrying hallucinogenic mushrooms in his luggage. He was released on $10,000 bail and is to appear in court there next month. Yesterday, Mr. Sorkin thanked the cast and crew of "The West Wing" and his lawyer, who, he said, "is getting a bit of a workout these days." Mr. Sorkin said after his arrest that he had undergone treatment for cocaine addiction several years ago. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth