CLINTON URGES WORLD'S EFFORT AGAINST DRUGS

UNITED NATIONS - President Clinton challenged world leaders on Monday to
work together attacking illegal drugs and stop wasting time "pointing
fingers" of blame at each other. He also announced a $2 billion media
campaign aimed at young people.

"The debate between drug-supplying and drug-consuming nations about whose
responsibility the drug problem is has gone on too long," Clinton said in
the opening address at a U.N. General Assembly special session on drugs in
which he praised Mexico for its cooperation in fighting the movement of
drugs into the United States.

"Let's be frank," he said. "This debate has not advanced the fight against
drugs. Pointing fingers is distracting. It does not dismantle a single
cartel, help a single addict, prevent a single child from trying and
perhaps dying from heroin."

"Let there be no doubt: This is ultimately a struggle for human freedom."

About 150 nations were represented at the U.N. session.

In his speech, Clinton announced a $2 billion, five-year media campaign
against drugs, targeting young people with a message that "drugs destroy
young lives; don't let it destroy yours." Similar campaigns will be
launched in Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil, Clinton said, adding that he
discussed the issue with Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on
Sunday.

Only $175 million of the $2 billion would be federal funds; the rest would
be contributed by corporations and philanthropic organizations.