EFFORTS IN DRUG WAR ARE SHOWING

The three-year, 17 percent drop in teen drug use is not the only good news
about illegal drugs.

According to the annual CIA assessment, last year there was a 23
percent drop in coca production in Colombia, and an 18 percent drop in
coca production in the entire Andean Ridge region. The result is the
lowest level of cocaine production since 1986.

Both the drop in teen drug use and cocaine production in Colombia and
the rest of the Andean Ridge Region are the legacy of former "drug czar"
Barry McCaffrey.

These accomplishments are the result of two of his signature policy
initiatives - the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and the
Andean Ridge Initiative. The former is responsible for the change in
youth attitudes that lead to reduced drug use. The Andean Ridge
Initiative was a serious commitment to the support efforts in
Colombia, Peru and Bolivia to eradicate coca production, and is
largely responsible for our success in that region. (I must proudly
add that my wife, Allison, played a major role in developing this
initiative.)

The fact that both initiatives were ever adopted is thanks to the
dogged and relentless effort of Barry McCaffrey against strong
opposition both in Congress and in the administration. It is also
thanks to the consistent support of President Bill Clinton. I am proud
to have served under both.

Chuck Blanchard

Phoenix

The writer was chief counsel of the White House Office of National
Drug Control Policy from 1997-1999