ANTI-DRUG SCRIPTS: NO SECRET COLLUSION

To the Editor:

Re "Television's Risky Relationship" (editorial, Jan. 18):

The government and networks are not involved in secret collusion.

The Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is a matter of law and has been
conducted openly -- through Congressional hearings, extensive news
coverage, events with the president and a widely visited Web site.

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. Accordingly, in the future we will review programs for pro
bono match consideration only after they have been broadcast.

Congress instructed 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 aid. Illegal drugs cost America $100 billion and 52,000
deaths a year.

BARRY R. MC CAFFREY
Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy
Washington DC