ANTI-DRUG TV SCRIPTS

To the Editor:

The major television networks should be applauded for working with the
Office of National Drug Control Policy to include anti-drug storylines in
television shows (front page, Jan. 14).

As part of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, Congress asked
media companies to match every federal dollar spent on paid advertising
with equal amounts of free exposure.

The networks have voluntarily cooperated, maintaining complete creative
control.

Television producers regularly vet scripts through experts to ensure
accuracy. Is it so surprising to ask drug experts to do the same?

Richard D. Bonnette,

President and Chief Exec., Partnership for a Drug-Free America, New York,
Jan. 17, 2000