D.C. DRUG WARRIORS HEAD TO HOLLYWOOD

It's easy enough to get steamed at plans by the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy to squander tax dollars "leveraging"
movies so that they include anti-drug themes. It's also kind of funny,
when you think about it.

The plan, mirroring a similar approach announced months ago with
regard to TV programming, is for administration drug warriors to work
closely with studios, writers and directors to promote films that
responsibly communicate anti-drug messages. Given the federal
bureaucracy's legendary ham-handedness, you have to wince in
anticipation of the finished product.

With so many cooks spoiling the broth, can we expect a George Clooney
or a Brad Pitt, in a pivotal scene, to ceremoniously brush aside a
chance to snort coke or smoke a joint - perhaps even grabbing a
fistful of the offending substance and hurling it across the room just
to drive the point home?

Naturally, kids targeted by the White House's efforts will see through
such propaganda. So any tax money spent on such close coordination
with Hollywood doesn't promise to be a very judicious investment. But
maybe it'll provide a few extra laughs for your moviegoing dollar.

Besides, there's a certain irony in charging Hollywood with the task
of urging abstinence of any kind among America's youth.