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

WALTERS GIVES DRUG POLICY APPROACH

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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