CONSERVATIVE TO GET TOP DRUG POST

WASHINGTON--President Bush plans to name a conservative known for his tough
approach on drugs to head the White House drug policy office, sources said
Friday.

John P. Walters is undergoing final background checks and could be named
next week to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy, sources
familiar with the nomination said.

Walters had been the office's deputy director for supply reduction when it
was headed by William J. Bennett under President George Bush. Walters
confirmed that he had had discussions with the administration but said no more.

The office has been without a permanent director since Gen. Barry R.
McCaffrey resigned in January.

Walters has stressed the importance of criminal penalties for drug users
and opposed the use of marijuana for medical purposes. He has also favored
the drug certification program, in which nations are judged by their
anti-drug efforts. The program has been a sore point in U.S.-Mexican relations.

Walters' positions have put him at odds with treatment advocates who view
drug abuse as more of a health problem.