NO PROBE OF DRUG CZAR

An article and headline on the national anti-drug campaign hurt the
reputation of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Director Barry
McCaffrey ("White House drug czar target of fraud probe," News, Oct. 5).
McCaffrey and the office are not targets of a "fraud probe." In fact,
congressional inquiries into expenses of the campaign follow our aggressive
actions to protect the public purse.

Gen. McCaffrey's office withheld payment of $18 million to government
agencies and private contractors because it was not satisfied with the
reasonableness of these costs. Our office first called for an audit when we
noticed billing irregularities.

To ensure cost-effectiveness, the office hired outside experts to review
business plans submitted by a contractor. We are transferring contract
administration responsibilities from the Department of Health and Human
Services to another department.

The office welcomes oversight of this vital effort. Since the program began
in 1998, adolescent drug usage rates have declined 21 percent. Americans
can be proud.

Janet Crist