DRUG CZAR TO STEP DOWN BEFORE INAUGURATION

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (Reuters) - The White House's drug policy director,
Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, said today that he would resign two weeks before
President Clinton's successor takes office in January.

General McCaffrey, a retired Army officer, said he would leave his job on
Jan. 6 to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

General McCaffrey said he was proud that adolescent drug-use rates had
decreased by 21 percent over the last two years and that drug-related crime
had significantly dropped.

General McCaffrey said he appreciated Clinton's commitment to reducing drug
abuse as well as the bipartisan support of the Republican-controlled Congress.

"Since 1996 we have taken important strides in addressing a problem that
costs our society 52,000 deaths and more than $110 billion every year," he
said.

President Clinton today praised the work of General McCaffrey.

"In the nearly five years General McCaffrey has led our war on drugs, we
have made significant progress both at home and abroad," Mr. Clinton said.