Barry R. McCaffrey

Barry R. McCaffrey is director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the office commonly referred to as “drug czar.” In the following viewpoint, McCaffrey maintains that the United States has made significant progress in reducing drug abuse since the 1970s. The fight against drug abuse, he says, can be won by implementing a multifaceted, long-term approach that includes treatment and prevention in addition to law enforcement and interdiction.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. By how much has casual cocaine use dropped since 1985, according to the author?
2. What does McCaffrey say is the signature program of the government’s ten-year approach?
3. How many Americans are in immediate need of drug treatment, according to the author"

Americans should understand how successful our national antidrug...