DATE=2/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226743
TITLE=MCCAFFREY / DRUGS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=PHILADELPHIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

                    // ATTN.: LATAM SHOWS //

INTRO:  THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED A 10-YEAR PLAN 
AIMED AT HALVING ILLEGAL DRUG USE IN THE UNITED STATES.  V-O-A 
WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE HEAD OF THE U-S DRUG CONTROL POLICY OFFICE, RETIRED 
(ARMY) GENERAL BARRY MCCAFFREY, OUTLINED THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN FOR
REPORTERS IN PHILADELPHIA, WHERE MR. CLINTON WAS TRAVELING 
FRIDAY.

HE SAYS THE PROPOSED ANTI-DRUG BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR TOTALS 17- 
BILLION DOLLARS -- ONE-BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE CURRENT YEAR.

MUCH OF THAT INCREASE IS EARMARKED FOR PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN 
SCHOOLS AND A MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE -- WARNING OF THE 
DANGERS OF DRUGS.  

THE INITIATIVES COME IN RESPONSE TO A RECENT RISE IN DRUG ABUSE 
AMONG THE NATION'S YOUTH, A TREND THAT ONLY LAST YEAR APPEARED TO
BE REVERSING, ACCORDING TO GENERAL MCCAFFREY.

                       // MCCAFFREY ACT //

         THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL REASON TO BELIEVE WE HAVE MADE THE 
         BEGINNING OF SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN REDUCING DRUG USE 
         BY YOUNG AMERICANS AND BY REDUCING THE SUPPLY OF DRUGS, 
         PARTICULARLY COCAINE, FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.

                          // END ACT //

THE NEW DRUG BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES FUNDING FOR ONE-THOUSAND 
ADDITIONAL BORDER PATROL AGENTS, NEW TECHNOLOGY TO BETTER MONITOR
THE SOUTHWEST BORDER, AND 75-MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT U-S, 
ANDEAN, CARIBBEAN AND MEXICAN INTERDICTION EFFORTS.

GENERAL MCCAFFREY REPORTED PROGRESS IN CRACKING DOWN ON COCA 
PRODUCTION IN LATIN AMERICA.

HE CITED PERU, SAYING COCA PRODUCTION THERE HAS DROPPED BY 40 
PERCENT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

                    // MCCAFFREY ACTUALITY //

         THAT IS A FUNCTION OF A LOT OF THINGS, SOME SMART 
         ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC POLICIES BY PRESIDENT FUJIMORI, IT 
         IS CLEARLY ALSO A FUNCTION OF THE AIR-BRIDGE 
         INTERDICTION OERATION BETWEEN PERU AND COLOMBIA, WHICH 
         HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS.

                          // END ACT //

HE SAYS THERE HAS BEEN A FIVE PRECENT DECLINE IN COCA PRODUCTION 
IN BOLIVIA -- THE FIRST SUCH DROP IN EIGHT YEARS.

BUT HE SAYS A CHALLENGE REMAINS FOR COLOMBIA.

                    // MCCAFFREY ACTUALITY //

         THE BAD NEWS IS THERE WAS A RATHER DRAMATIC 18 PERCENT 
         INCREASE IN COCA PRODUCTION  IN COLOMBIA.  POOR 
         COLOMBIA.  IT IS EXPLODING DOWN IN THE SOUTHERN 
         REGIONS... 

                          // END ACT //

GENERAL MCCAFFREY ALSO PRAISED COOPERATION FROM MEXICAN 
AUTHORITIES IN THE WAR ON DRUGS.

                    // MCCAFFREY ACTUALITY //

         WE HAVE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT COOPERATION IN THE AREAS
         OF MONEY  LAUNDERING, PRECURSOR CHEMICAL CONTROL, NEW 
         LEGAL AUTHORITIES ON THE  PART OF THE MEXICANS, PASSED 
         BY THEIR CONGRESS INCLUDING SOME THAT  REQUIRED 
         CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION.  WE ARE ASSISTING IN THE 
         TRAINING OF NON-CORRUPT MEXICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT 
         INSTITUTIONS.  

                          // END ACT //

BUT, HE SAYS, MEXICO CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE WITH A SERIOUS PROBLEM 
OF VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION, WHICH HE SAYS ARE FUELED BY 
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/RRM

13-Feb-98 5:43 PM EST (2243 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.