A NEW ATTACK ON DRUGS

'Certification' doesn't work; proposed treaty might

The Clinton administration proposes to end the divisive practice of
labeling its hemispheric neighbors as cooperative or obstructive in
combating drug traffic and replace it with a treaty to raise a mutual
effort against the menace. In more than a decade on the books,
Washington's so-called certification process has done little but create
unnecessary discord among countries fighting the same adversary.

The proposed treaty would create an alliance to suppress the production and
transportation of drugs and establish an independent body to ensure that
member nations comply with the program. This is a productive approach, a
united effort instead of a report card issued each year by Washington.

The aim is to present the proposal in April when President Clinton meets
with Latin American leaders in Santiago, Chile.

Under the current system, every year since 1986 the State Department has
been required to certify to Congress whether Latin American countries
where drugs are produced or transported are cooperating with the United
States to halt the trade. And ever since that date, the process has only
served to sour hemispheric relations. Indiana Rep. Lee Hamilton, the
ranking Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, has
described the process as "nuts," and he's right.

Clinton's proposal calls for drug prevention, education and treatment of
drug consumers. This is a battle that will have to be fought in the homes,
schools, churches, workplaces and hospitals of the Americas. It will demand
cooperation from U.S. agencies in the line of fire against narcotics
traffickers: the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs Service, Coast
Guard and Border Patrol. Abroad, the Latin American effort would focus on
the points of origin. It would also emphasize participation in
multilateral campaigns.

Some critics of the White House plan call it naively ambitious. Others ask
how the treaty nations would find the funds for such an undertaking. The
White House will have to deal with these issues and sell its ideas to a
divided Congress. Prospects for this year are nil, as the State Department
is required to present its certification documents March 1. But proponents
should maintain the pressure and do the groundwork. Certification is broke
and needs fixing.

Copyright Los Angeles Times