DRUGS: A DRAG ON WELFARE

I appreciate the praise from Harold Pollack and Peter Reuter of the work of
the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University
and our program CASAWORKS to help mothers on welfare with drug and alcohol
problems and their children become self- sufficient families ["Myths About
Drugs and Welfare," op-ed, Oct. 1].

But I disagree that only 19 percent of the women remaining on welfare suffer
from drug and alcohol problems. Our experience working to help these women
in seven cities across the country, as well as my own work with individuals
serving this population, leads me to conclude that the bulk of mothers now
on welfare -- perhaps most -- are drug and alcohol abusers and addicts,
often suffering from serious mental and other health ailments as well.

I understand Pollack and Reuter's concern that the stigma of drug and
alcohol abuse may discourage taxpayer support for compassionate welfare
programs. But I believe policymakers and citizens need to understand the
scope of this problem in order to marshal the resources needed for treatment
and training so that these women can become responsible parents and
taxpaying workers. That investment is key to saving many hundreds of
millions of dollars now spent on welfare payments and giving these families
a fair chance to share in the benefits of our society.

- -- Joseph A.Califano Jr.

The writer is president of the National Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse at Columbia University.