Pubdate: Wed, 13 Feb 2002
Source: Buffalo News (NY)
Copyright: 2002 The Buffalo News
Contact:  http://www.buffnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61
Author: Seth Borenstein, Knight Ridder Newspapers

BUSH PUSHES TREATMENT TO REDUCE USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

WASHINGTON - Seeking to cut illegal drug use by 10 percent in two years, 
President Bush Tuesday unveiled a new national drug policy that emphasizes 
treatment.

Instead of the "Just Say No" campaign of the 1980s, the Bush administration 
is pushing a policy that in essence adds, "Please Get Help."

The president is proposing to spend $357 million more next year on 
anti-drug efforts. He wants two-thirds of that - $224 million - to go 
toward drug treatment and research.

In total, the president is seeking to spend $19.2 billion to fight illegal 
drugs, a problem he said "wreaks havoc on the very fabric that provides 
stability for our society."

In fighting drugs, many advocate strict punishment for offenders, while 
others favor treatment. Republicans usually push for prison time for 
offenders, but Bush, in unveiling his anti-drug strategy, took a different 
tack Tuesday.

"We must aggressively promote drug treatment," Bush said Tuesday, "because 
a nation that is tough on drugs must also be compassionate to those 
addicted to drugs. Today, there are 3.9 million drug users in America who 
need, but who did not receive, help. And we've got to do something about 
that. We've got to help."

This will mean an increase in residential treatment facilities, perhaps 
even in neighborhoods that could initially resist them, said John Walters, 
White House drug policy director.

"It's a challenge to our compassion," Walters said. He also emphasized 
continued treatment for recovering addicts to make sure they stay drug-free.

"We're really pleased that it is focusing more on treatment," said Pat 
Ford-Roegner, executive director of the Association of Addiction 
Professionals, a trade group for counselors based in Alexandria, Va. "We 
certainly have a president at this point who understands the struggle with 
addiction. I do think personal experience is important to realize that a 
lot more needs to be done. This is an issue that faces every American family."

During the 2000 campaign, Bush admitted being a heavy social drinker in the 
past. In 1986, the morning after his 40th birthday, he quit.

More recently, the president's niece, Noelle Bush, daughter of Florida Gov. 
Jeb Bush, checked into drug treatment after being arrested on charges of 
illegally trying to obtain prescription drugs.

The Bush anti-drug strategy also includes prevention and efforts to stop 
drug trafficking.

"We're determined to limit drug supply, to reduce demand and to provide 
addicts with effective and compassionate drug treatment," the president 
said from the East Room. "Each of these steps is essential, and they're 
inseparable."

In trying to limit demand, the president argued that drug abusers, 
especially buyers of heroin originating in Afghanistan and cocaine from 
Colombia, were helping to finance terrorism.

That anti-drug argument featured prominently in an ad campaign that debuted 
during the Super Bowl.
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