ANTI-DRUG TV CAMPAIGN PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE

In response to the editorial "Government's TV script review deal worrisome"
(Jan. 18), the government and TV networks are not involved in secret
collusion. The Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is a matter of public law and
has been conducted openly.

Congress sensibly requires media outlets to match federal anti-drug
advertising dollars on a one-for-one basis. Networks, magazines and
newspapers may elect to make this match with content, public-service
activities or free advertising. We take seriously concerns about the
campaign's pro bono match procedures.

There can be no suggestion of federal interference in the creative process.
In the future, we will review programs for pro bono match consideration
only after they have aired.

Congress has wisely allowed our office to fashion anti-drug messages in
television programming. We fulfill this mandate by making available expert
scientific advice and technical assistance through a behavior change expert
panel and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Since illegal drugs cost
this country more than $100 billion and 52,000 deaths a year, this media
campaign addresses a vital issue of public health.

We are enormously proud of our hundreds of media partnerships. Drug use by
America's youth declined 13% from 1997 to 1998. We are convinced that if we
continue to emphasize drug prevention, juvenile drug use rates will drop
further.