U.S. DRUG CZAR SAYS ABUSE IS EVERYONE'S PROBLEM

(Norfolk) -- A true view of illegal drug use in Hampton Roads, and the
nation, requires a mirror, as millions of Americans continue to deny
that it's their problem, said retired Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, the
nation's drug czar.

It is, perhaps, easier to say it's a black or poor person's problem,
he said.

McCaffrey offered a portrait of the nation's illegal drug problem to
an audience of several hundred Thursday night at the Norfolk Airport
Hilton. The 57-year-old director of the White House Office of National
Drug Control Policy was in Norfolk to address the World Affairs
Council of Greater Hampton Roads.

He spoke on ``The Challenge of Illegal Drugs -- National and
International Perspectives.'' The picture most people have of illegal
drug users may be far from reality, he said.

``The lowest rate of drug use in American society are African
Americans, who use less alcohol, cigarettes, heroin, crack cocaine, et
cetera than other racial groups,'' McCaffrey told the audience.

``I mention that to you because all of us are dealing in our minds
with denial. . . So you and I would like to say the drug problem in
America is minority people or poor people, crazy people or city
people. But it's somebody other than my people, and that just isn't
the case.''

McCaffrey praised the use of drug courts, noting their presence in
Norfolk and Newport News since 1998. Internationally, he saw more
cooperation between foreign governments to address the flow of illegal
drugs.

The drug problem in much of the world is far worse than in America,
which has experienced a significant drop in use, he said. For example,
there are 810,000 heroin addicts in America, he said. In Pakistan,
there are 3 million. The cocaine use rates in Venezuela and Rio de
Janeiro are worse than in Miami, he said.

Still, there are millions in this country who need help, both in the
nation's prisons and once they leave them.

``If you go to most of these urban and rural environments around
America and watch who is buying drugs, it's a Catholic priest, an
orthopedic surgeon, a cheerleader in her little costume, as well as
black people, brown people, old people, whatever. It's an American
problem,'' he said.

McCaffrey, confirmed as the nation's drug czar in 1996, is a member of
the president's Cabinet. The West Point graduate served two combat
tours in Vietnam and was the youngest and most decorated four-star
Army general.

He was wounded three times and received three Purple Hearts and two
Silver Stars for extraordinary heroism and valor.

Prior to his appointment to the White House post, he was
commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces Southern Command,
coordinating national security operations in Latin America.