QUESTIONS FOR MCCAFFREY

One sentence in the recent editorial by the Drug Czar, Gen. Barry
McCaffrey, leapt out at me. He said: "The so-called 'war on drugs' is a
poor metaphor because it creates an expectation of speedy victory." I find
it ironic that the very same people who first coined the war metaphor as a
means of declaring those who use illegal drugs the enemy are now running
away from it as fast as they can.

Having spent his entire adult life in this country's military, Gen.
McCaffrey knows that, when it comes to war, the American people demand
results. He now prefers the "cancer metaphor." Very well. Many people have
suggested that a cure for cancer would have been found years ago if there
were as much profit in curing the disease as there is in long-term
treatment of it. I suspect the same is true for illegal drug abuse.

I do wish, at some point, some intrepid journalist would ask Gen. McCaffrey
why, if we are not involved in a "war on drugs," we have a general in
charge of our drug policy? Or, what conditions will have to exist for the
ONDCP's budget to remain the same (or even decrease) instead of climbing
precipitously every year?

Tony M. Goins
Oklahoma City, OK