A BETTER DRUG-TREATMENT POLICY

In an article about Rep. Mark Souder's displeasure over the
involvement of the Department of Health and Human Services in an
upcoming conference, your reporter wrongly states that George Soros
"supports drug legalization" ("HHS-sponsored forum touts 'harm
reduction' ," Nation, Tuesday).

While Mr. Soros supports allowing marijuana use for medical purposes
he does not support the broader legalization of drugs such as cocaine
or heroin as your article implies.

Mr. Soros believes that our current drug policy is failing. He
advocates "harm reduction," an approach that, as the term implies,
seeks to reduce the harm caused by drug abuse -- both to society at
large and to individual drug users. In holding this view, Mr. Soros is
solidly within the mainstream of scientific thought and public-health
policy. In addition, Mr. Soros' foundation finances drug treatment
programs and efforts to educate the public about the dangers of drug
use.

Michael Vachon

Office of George Soros

New York