A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF WHAT DRUGS DO

The speed at which the controversy over Jayson Blair and the New York
Times devolved into an argument about race reflects how ready
Americans are to engage in an argument about race. But as an
explanation for what went wrong, it's irrelevant.

The only salient fact in the affair is that Mr. Blair reportedly
abused cocaine [Style, May 21]. Anyone who has been around someone
with that problem could have recognized the tell-tale signs as soon as
the first reports of Mr. Blair's behavior were published: the
disordered nature of his life, the unexplained absences, the new lies
to cover up old lies, pretending to be in Maryland while really in New
York (can't get too far away from your drug source).

Drug addicts are the most versatile and spectacular liars you will
ever meet. Smart addicts can fool a lot of people for a long time. It
has nothing to do with race, profession, class, sex or any other
incidental factor. Cocaine treats its victims the same, and it
overwhelms every other consideration.

PAUL SWEETING

Washington