U.S. COCAINE, HEROIN ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE

The prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen to record lows and the
drugs remain widely available, federal officials say, while insisting
that progress is being made against drug use in the United States.

In remarks prepared for presentation today before a House
Appropriations subcommittee in Washington, White House drug-control
policy director Barry McCaffrey cites declines in youth drug use and
drug-related crime during the past year.

But he also notes that heroin has become more popular among young
people and says methamphetamines have a "serious potential nationally
to become the next 'crack' cocaine epidemic."