CHOICE OF A DRUG CZAR

To the Editor:

Re "Tough Conservative Picked for Drug Czar, Officials Say" (news article,
April 26):

The choice of John P. Walters as drug czar gives us some solace in that at
last we have an inkling of President Bush's position on drugs. But reports
that Mr. Walters favors enforcement, supply reduction and severe sentences
for repeat offenders tell us that we have our work cut out to convince him
and President Bush that reducing demand through treatment and prevention
programs is sound, not soft, public policy.

No one can deny that Mr. Walters has the experience to lead a national
antidrug campaign, but from our position as a treatment provider of
intensive programs for chronic drug abusers, I hope that he also has the
compassion.

Isobelle Surface

Vice President, Communications, Odyssey House

New York, April 26, 2001