DRUG CZAR BACKS TV EFFORT

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, including multiple congressional hearings, extensive news
coverage, public events with the president and a Website
(www.mediacampaign.org) accessed 446,596 times in 1999.

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 the Office of National Drug Control Policy 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 percent between 1997 and 1998. We are convinced
that if we continue to emphasize drug prevention, juvenile drug-use rates
will drop further.

Barry R. McCaffrey
Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Washington, D.C.