Pubdate: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX) Copyright: 2004 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas Contact: http://www.star-telegram.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/162 Author: Matt Curry, Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John) DRUG CZAR PROMOTES BUILDING COALITIONS TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE DALLAS - President Bush's drug czar rallied local officials Thursday, saying agencies on the front line will have to coordinate efforts to make a dent in persistent substance abuse problems. John P. Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, met with Dallas leaders as part of an initiative focusing on the nation's 25 largest cities. Dallas was the 10th city he has visited as part of the effort. He acknowledged cynicism as the biggest enemy of the initiative. He said the ultimate test of the campaign will be in the results. "We're not here to have a pep rally," Walters said during a news conference. "We're here to manage the public trust that we've been given in a way that all America wants." The announcement avoided specifics, instead emphasizing broad themes of coalition-building among those working on both prevention and treatment issues. Walters also pushed the $23 million White House plan to increase drug testing in schools. That plan is drawing sharp criticism from some parents, school administrators and civil liberties activists. "The biggest opponents to drug testing I find are ignorant of what it is," he said. "It cannot be used to punish. It is illegal for it to be used for punishment." Walters received support for the 25-Cities Initiative from Parkland Memorial Hospital CEO and President Ron Anderson, Dallas Deputy Police Chief John Martinez and Dallas County Commissioner Ken Mayfield. "If we could treat people, we could save lots of money and have a lot better society," Anderson said. Martinez said uniting law enforcers and other agencies will create an unprecedented partnership to battle the drug problem in Dallas County. "It's time for all of us to come together and develop a holistic approach to dealing with these problems," he said. Walters said the fight against illegal drugs hasn't been suffering from a lack of effort. "We know that people are doing the job that needs to be done," he said. "They want more people working with them." In December, the Bush administration said the annual survey funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed an 11 percent drop in illegal drug use in the past two years, slightly surpassing President Bush's goal of a 10 percent reduction during that period. The drug policy office was established in 1988 to set policies and programs for the national anti-drug effort. Walters was sworn in during 2001. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin