HOLLYWOOD MOVIE `TRAFFIC' JOLTS DEBATE ON DRUG POLICY

WASHINGTON -- Traffic, a gritty, R-rated Hollywood movie that suggests the
Washington-led war on drugs is a lost cause, is having more impact on the
debate about drug policy these days than any public official, including the
president.

One reason is that Bush says little about the issue and has not named a
drug czar.

But a more important reason may be the movie's popularity. It has earned
$99 million in 11 weeks and jolted the often predictable discussion in the
nation's capital over what to do about drugs.

Traffic, a nominee for Best Picture at next Sunday's Oscar ceremonies,
tells the story of a top U.S. anti-drug official, played by Michael
Douglas, who is devastated by his daughter's cocaine addiction and becomes
disillusioned by empty rhetoric in Washington. It's an ambitious look at
how drugs can cripple many lives: a courageous Mexican cop trying to
survive rampant corruption in his effort to stop drug traffickers; U.S.
drug agents struggling to stem a flood of smuggling.

In recent weeks, Washington has seen this impact:

President Andres Pastrana of Colombia arranged for a screening of Traffic
attended by members of Congress, diplomats and policymakers.

"That was a smart thing for Pastrana to do and somewhat bold, and it had
everybody talking," said Bernard Aronson, a former assistant secretary of
state for inter-American affairs. "The movie has captured the mood of
Washington and some of the ambivalence about what to do."

Colombia is the recent beneficiary of $1.3 billion in supplemental U.S. aid
to help eradicate drugs.

At a Senate committee hearing last week on a bill to spend $900 million
more for drug prevention and treatment, senators cited the movie as a
common reference point. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the bill's sponsor, used
a scene from Traffic to make the case for greater efforts to reduce demand
for drugs.

"I was struck when the drug czar, played by Michael Douglas, questions the
lack of emphasis placed on drug treatment," Leahy said. "The comment that
stood out most for me was, how can we fight a `war on drugs' when the
enemies are drug users who are members of ordinary American families?"

One by one, officials are taking in the movie, often with a younger family
member. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., saw it with his 16-year-old daughter. He
later told commentator Arianna Huffington, "It had a very powerful effect
- -- it's caused me to rethink our policies and priorities."

President Bush was asked by Barbara Walters on ABC's 20/20 about the movie
and "its premise that the war on drugs is a failure, and many Americans
feel that way. Can a president do anything about that?"

Bush, who once overcame a drinking problem, responded: "I think we need to
examine all policies in terms of treatment. I think we ought to focus on
treatment programs that work."

PUBLIC REACTION

The film continues to generate debate elsewhere, too.

"The film has moved the debate over drugs from the op-ed pages into the
popular culture," said Kevin Zeese, president of Common Sense for Drug
Policy, which opposes many current drug laws, such as bans on the use of
marijuana for medical purposes. "Stephen Soderbergh [the director] has
tapped into the public's unease about what government is doing."

Critics of the drug war say the movie exposes the futility of law
enforcement's expensive efforts to stop smuggling. Some activists,
including supporters of interdiction, praise the film for its graphic
depiction of a teenager in the throes of addiction and prostitution.

"Right now, a movie is bringing drug issues into the forefront of the
public debate -- not the president," said Manon McKinnon, a conservative
drug policy analyst who supports Bush.

In fact, this week, starting Monday night, ABC's Nightline will broadcast a
five-part series on Traffic and a variety of drug issues -- the first time
the show has given such attention to a movie.

Anchor Ted Koppel said the film gave "a sense of just how pervasive the
drug problem is."

DIVISION OF FUNDS

The war on drugs costs about $18 billion a year just in federal dollars,
and Zeese complains that despite "all the talk about a balanced approach,"
law enforcement continues to consume about two-thirds of that, leaving
about one-third for treatment and education.

Acclaimed by most reviewers, the film also has its critics. Sen. Joseph
Biden, D-Del., and Barry McCaffrey, the former drug czar, say the film sets
out a false choice between law enforcement and efforts to reduce demand
through treatment. Both are needed, they argue.

"The message was the futility of it all, the madness of those involved,
that it's all failing. You wouldn't know that drug abuse is substantially
down from 15 years ago," said McCaffrey, a former general now teaching part
time at West Point.

"When Douglas [McCaffrey's movie counterpart] says, `Why aren't we talking
about treatment?' -- well, we are, and we're doing a lot," McCaffrey said.

The film includes a scene that's an unusual mix of Hollywood and
Washington. Douglas, as the new drug czar, attends a cocktail party where
real senators, including Orrin Hatch, Barbara Boxer and Charles Grassley,
chat with Douglas and give him advice.

Hatch later criticized the film for its profanity and violence, but last
week said it helped persuade him to co-sponsor the bill with Leahy to fund
more drug treatment.

Traffic's impact on the drug debate has even become a marketing tool. USA
Films has run newspaper ads that tout a New York Times editorial saying the
film "has touched a nerve in a time of flux in the nation's decadeslong
campaign against illicit drugs."

Jack Valenti, longtime chairman of the Motion Picture Association, said
"Traffic has created a fabulous buzz" in Washington, and noted a certain
irony: Senators used to criticizing Hollywood fare are now responding to a
film that includes some of them and poses hard questions to political leaders.

"I think it's one of the great anti-drug films ever made," Valenti said.

"It also shows that unless you do something about demand, you can hang all
the drug dealers 'til the skies grow dark, and it won't stop it."

On Capitol Hill, senators are even critiquing each other's cameo appearances.

With a smile, Leahy turned to Hatch at last week's hearing and praised his
performance.

"I wasn't acting," Hatch deadpanned.