Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 Source: Standard-Times (MA) Contact: Website: http://www.s-t.com/ Author: The Associated Press BROCKTON COP SWORN IN AS STATE DRUG CZAR BOSTON -- A Brockton police officer has been chosen to lead the state's anti-drug efforts. Michael Mather, a 22-year veteran of the Brockton Police Department, was sworn in yesterday as the executive director of the Governor's Alliance Against Drugs. The job pays $70,000 a year. Mather succeeds Brad Bailey, who resigned in February to run for attorney general. Gov. Paul Cellucci called Mather a "tough law-and-order guy" and said he will bring the energy and dedication he showed in Brockton to the statewide effort. Mather worked as a narcotics officer before becoming a Drug Abuse Resistance Education instructor in 1995. As a DARE officer, he taught elementary school children about the dangers of drugs. Cellucci also announced that $1.1 million in grants will be available to cities and towns to use for educational programs to fight substance abuse and violence. - --- Checked-by: Melodi Cornett