FEELING GOOD: DRUG WAR SHOWS SOME SUCCESS, BUT DRUG CHOICES CHANGING

The United Nations' newest study on worldwide drug use is encouraging, with
its finding that worldwide abuse of cocaine and heroin has diminished during
the past 15 years. The reduction indicates that the huge increases in money
spent in the war against drugs for interdiction, education and treatment are
paying off.

While cocaine use fell 70 percent in the United States between 1985 and
1999, during the period that government expenditures in the anti-drug war
climbed from $855 million to $5.6 billion, our country remains the world's
largest market for the coca derivative.

But the report, published this past week by the U.N. Office for Drug Control
and Crime Prevention, also is illustrative of basic human frailty and the
ever-present existence of some percentage of people who continually strive
to feel good through the use of drugs.

Although cocaine and heroin use is down around the world, amphetamine usage
in Europe and Asia has greatly increased. Developing countries are being
invaded by synthetic drugs, so-called designer drugs like Ecstasy, at the
same time most coca and poppy growing nations have significantly reduced
production.

Responsible nations must not give up in the war against drugs and would be
wise to increase spending on early education about the dangers of illegal
drug use and on improved treatment and rehabilitation.

But in continuing the battle, the law-abiding public must realize there will
always be those willing to risk their life and health to abuse drugs,
including alcohol, simply in hopes of feeling better.