Pubdate: Fri, 11 May 2001
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Section: Washington Dateline
Copyright: 2001 Associated Press
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/27
Author: Ken Guggenheim, The Associated Press

DRUG POLICY NOMINEE ADVOCATES LAW-AND-ORDER APPROACH

WASHINGTON (AP) - Amid growing exasperation about the nation's appetite for 
illegal drugs, some policy analysts have called for a fresh approach that 
treats drug use a health issue rather than a crime.

John P. Walters, nominated Thursday by President Bush as drug policy 
director, is not in that camp.

A protege of former drug policy director William Bennett, Walters has 
argued that strict law enforcement is essential to keep users off the 
streets and to shame them into seeking treatment.

He has defended the records of former Presidents Reagan and Bush, saying 
their advances in the drug fight were reversed by what Walters sees as the 
Clinton administration's halfhearted efforts.

Walters sees an important role for the military in fighting drugs, favors 
punishing nations judged not doing enough to stop trafficking, and rejects 
claims that too many small-time users are in prison.

To critics, he is linked to failed policies that pack prisons with addicts 
in hopes of solving drug problems.

"Everything about John Walters' past record suggests that he believes drug 
policy has nothing to do with science or public health. It's all about 
punishing people for their sins," said Ethan Nadelmann, director of the 
Lindesmith Center, a New York-based drug policy research institute.

To his supporters, Walters is an experienced and tough-minded drug fighter 
who understands that law enforcement must complement treatment and 
education to reduce drug use. Conservatives support his effort to rely on 
families, houses of worship and communities in helping lower demand for drugs.

"John is about the most knowledgeable person in the country on all aspects 
of this (drug) problem," Bennett said.

Few people are satisfied with the progress in combating drug use, which has 
changed little in the past decade. The price of cocaine and heroin fell 
during the 1990s, indicating abundant supplies. Synthetic drugs like 
Ecstasy have become more popular.

Some lawmakers, drug policy analysts and even Bush administration officials 
have questioned whether curbing demand for drugs through education and 
treatment programs should take priority over trying to limit supply through 
police work and interdiction.

About two-thirds of the $19 billion federal anti-drug budget that Walters 
would oversee at the Office of National Drug Control Policy is intended to 
reduce supply; the remainder is for demand.

Rep. William Delahunt said he was concerned that Walters' views may make it 
difficult for policy-makers to reach consensus on drug issues.

"He appears to be a polarizing figure and oftentimes the rhetoric that he 
has used sends certain messages that are disturbing," said Delahunt, 
D-Mass., a former prosecutor.

At a Rose Garden ceremony Thursday, Bush described Walters as "an 
articulate advocate, an able administrator, and a man of deep and reasoned 
convictions."

He said Walters, whom the Senate must confirm, was aware of the need for a 
balanced approach to drugs.

"A successful anti-drug effort depends on a thoughtful and integrated 
approach. Mr. Walters understands this as well as anybody in America," Bush 
said.

Bush pledged to pay "unprecedented attention" to helping drug-addicted 
Americans get treatment. He also announced a series of Cabinet reviews to 
determine the effectiveness of federal anti-drug efforts.

Walters, 49, worked under Bennett at the National Endowment for the 
Humanities and the Department of Education during the Reagan 
administration. When Bennett became the nation's first drug policy 
director, Walters served as his deputy for supply reduction, and later was 
chief of staff. He briefly followed Bennett as acting director.

He is now president of the Philanthropy Roundtable, a national donor's 
organization.

Together with Bennett and John DiIulio, Walters wrote "Body Count: Moral 
Poverty and How to Win America's War Against Crime and Drugs." DiIulio is 
now the head of the White House Office of Community and Faith-Based 
Initiatives.
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