FIND NEW WAYS TO FIGHT DRUGS

Getting tough with dealers and drug ring conspirators should always be the
main thrust of our drug intervention strategy. President Clinton has
impressive statistics to defend this approach. Since 1985, when the
so-called war on drugs took off, overall drug use has declined 70 percent,
according to the president.

Still, it's clear that getting tough isn't good enough.

According to the United Nations, 160 million illegal narcotics users are
fueling a drug industry that profits to the tune of $400 billion a year -
far more than what is made in the sale of legal pharmaceuticals.

Moreover, drug use among our youth is on the rise, according to surveys.
This, despite the $10 billion spent on drug-related law enforcement and
prison construction last year alone. Drug intervention efforts have made
the concrete and iron companies happy. Prisons need lots of bars and lots
of strong walls, and there are more prisons now with the crackdown on drugs
over the last two decades.

The crackdown will continue. Clinton told a U.N. summit on international
drug trade that the U.S. intends to spend about $17 billion next year in
battling drugs.

It is encouraging, however, to hear Clinton propose spending about
one-third of that $17 billion on programs aimed at reducing demand for
drugs. Clinton wants more money spent on treatment and in discouraging
youngsters from using drugs. This is welcome news to many other countries
fighting drug crime. They have been urging Washington to do more to reduce
the large illegal drug customer base in this country. It will make their
jobs so much easier.

Specifically, Clinton has proposed spending $2 billion on a new public
service announcement campaign aimed at convincing youngsters to stay away
for drugs. This is a great idea, especially if this message will be more
unique, more helpful. Despite "Just Say No," too many youngsters are still
saying yes. And despite the widespread introduction of D.A.R.E. programs in
the elementary and middle schools, too many youngsters are still letting
peer pressure overcome their fear of drugs.

Clinton says he will form an academic program to get insights of drug
experts from throughout the world. That, too, is a good idea. It's time to
try something different to reduce demand, and we hope he'll get some good
advice.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)