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, Jan. 19, 2000