NEW TAKE ON DRUGS

Remember former Florida Gov. Bob Martinez?

After losing a gubernatorial re-election bid in 1990, he found a friend in
then-President George Bush, who tried to rescue Mr. Martinez's political
career by appointing him the nation's drug czar.

Mr. Martinez flopped -- big time. The office became a bloated bureaucracy
of out-of-work politicians, and it accomplished little.

That shouldn't have surprised anyone. Mr. Martinez lacked an appropriate
background for the job.

President George W. Bush must avoid repeating his father's mistake when he
appoints a new director for the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy.

Despite almost four decades of intense law-enforcement efforts, drug abuse
remains one of this nation's most disturbing problems. A report that the
Partnership for a Drug-Free America prepared late last year showed that,
although marijuana use by teens has seemed to decline, a frightening
upswing has occurred in the number of young people experimenting with club
drugs, such as methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, also known as Ecstasy. In
the metropolitan Orlando area, drug abuse resulted in 85 deaths during the
past two years.

Taking on that fight will require more than a police officer because drug
abuse results from a host of social, political and economic issues.

The consequences of drug abuse ruin minds, lives and communities. Illegal
drug abuse has overwhelmed the criminal-justice system, especially the
courts and prisons, and contributed to corruption in this country, as well
as other nations.

The drug-czar job requires an innovative thinker willing to try new
approaches and not rely on slogans or rhetoric to accomplish the mission.

The nation's top drug strategist must understand the function of every
government arm and have the skill to coordinate those resources in an
effective campaign to reduce drug abuse.

The drug czar must do more than push paper. That person also must have a
firm grasp of scientific issues related to drug abuse. Key areas include
the latest manufacturing and detection techniques, as well as the most
effective measures for treating drug addicts, such as medications and
therapies.

The drug czar must reach out into the academic and research communities for
help in shaping strategies.

And the drug czar must have a preacher's zeal to rally businesses,
communities and young people to the cause.

The job requires more than just another out-of-work politician. The mission
requires an uncommon leader with courage, imagination, energy, and a record
of accomplishment in the field.

The nation cannot settle for mediocrity.