NEW DRUG CZAR, OLD PROBLEM

To the Editor:

Re "Bush Names a Drug Czar and Addresses Criticism" (news article, May
11):

During his campaign, George W. Bush promised to invest an additional $1
billion over five years in drug treatment and $500 million over the same
period to expand community-based prevention programs.

The president's first budget request released last month represents an
important down payment on this campaign promise.

Financing these investments over five years would help close the country's
treatment gap substantially, provide expanded access to prevention programs
for youth, and strengthen the safety net for people at risk of, or
suffering from, the disease of addiction.

JENNY COLLIER

SUE THAU

Washington, May 11, 2001

The writers are, respectively, director of national policy and state
strategy, Legal Action Center; and a public policy consultant, Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

To the Editor:

John P. Walters, President Bush's choice for drug czar, knows that the key
to overcoming America's drug problem lies in preventing early drug use
(news article, May 11).

He also knows that government cannot solve the drug problem alone. His
experience bringing philanthropies together to improve education and health
care, among other things, is invaluable.

Those seeking to dismantle drug laws and turn the drug death trade over to
government or big business must be disappointed that Mr. Walters will not
surrender our children to appease a few adults.

President Bush made the right choice. Preventing drug use among children,
full community involvement, greater accountability and the courage not to
surrender make up the remedy that our country sorely needs.

ROBERT E. PETERSON

Little Meadows, Pa., May 11, 2001

The writer was director of Michigan's Office of Drug Control Policy, 1990-95.