DRUG POLICY NOMINEE ADVOCATES LAW-AND-ORDER APPROACH

WASHINGTON (AP) - Amid growing exasperation about the nation's appetite for
illegal drugs, some policy analysts have called for a fresh approach that
treats drug use a health issue rather than a crime.

John P. Walters, nominated Thursday by President Bush as drug policy
director, is not in that camp.

A protege of former drug policy director William Bennett, Walters has
argued that strict law enforcement is essential to keep users off the
streets and to shame them into seeking treatment.

He has defended the records of former Presidents Reagan and Bush, saying
their advances in the drug fight were reversed by what Walters sees as the
Clinton administration's halfhearted efforts.

Walters sees an important role for the military in fighting drugs, favors
punishing nations judged not doing enough to stop trafficking, and rejects
claims that too many small-time users are in prison.

To critics, he is linked to failed policies that pack prisons with addicts
in hopes of solving drug problems.

"Everything about John Walters' past record suggests that he believes drug
policy has nothing to do with science or public health. It's all about
punishing people for their sins," said Ethan Nadelmann, director of the
Lindesmith Center, a New York-based drug policy research institute.

To his supporters, Walters is an experienced and tough-minded drug fighter
who understands that law enforcement must complement treatment and
education to reduce drug use. Conservatives support his effort to rely on
families, houses of worship and communities in helping lower demand for drugs.

"John is about the most knowledgeable person in the country on all aspects
of this (drug) problem," Bennett said.

Few people are satisfied with the progress in combating drug use, which has
changed little in the past decade. The price of cocaine and heroin fell
during the 1990s, indicating abundant supplies. Synthetic drugs like
Ecstasy have become more popular.

Some lawmakers, drug policy analysts and even Bush administration officials
have questioned whether curbing demand for drugs through education and
treatment programs should take priority over trying to limit supply through
police work and interdiction.

About two-thirds of the $19 billion federal anti-drug budget that Walters
would oversee at the Office of National Drug Control Policy is intended to
reduce supply; the remainder is for demand.

Rep. William Delahunt said he was concerned that Walters' views may make it
difficult for policy-makers to reach consensus on drug issues.

"He appears to be a polarizing figure and oftentimes the rhetoric that he
has used sends certain messages that are disturbing," said Delahunt,
D-Mass., a former prosecutor.

At a Rose Garden ceremony Thursday, Bush described Walters as "an
articulate advocate, an able administrator, and a man of deep and reasoned
convictions."

He said Walters, whom the Senate must confirm, was aware of the need for a
balanced approach to drugs.

"A successful anti-drug effort depends on a thoughtful and integrated
approach. Mr. Walters understands this as well as anybody in America," Bush
said.

Bush pledged to pay "unprecedented attention" to helping drug-addicted
Americans get treatment. He also announced a series of Cabinet reviews to
determine the effectiveness of federal anti-drug efforts.

Walters, 49, worked under Bennett at the National Endowment for the
Humanities and the Department of Education during the Reagan
administration. When Bennett became the nation's first drug policy
director, Walters served as his deputy for supply reduction, and later was
chief of staff. He briefly followed Bennett as acting director.

He is now president of the Philanthropy Roundtable, a national donor's
organization.

Together with Bennett and John DiIulio, Walters wrote "Body Count: Moral
Poverty and How to Win America's War Against Crime and Drugs." DiIulio is
now the head of the White House Office of Community and Faith-Based
Initiatives.