NATION IN BRIEF : NEW YORK : Official Says U.S. Is Losing Drug War

New York City Police Commissioner Lee Brown told a Manhattan civic group that contrary to what federal officials have said, America is losing the war on drugs. “We don’t have adequate resources from the federal government to fight (the war on drugs),” Brown told the audience at the Women’s City Club of New York. “The problem can’t be left to the cities and states. We need to make sure the federal government carries out its responsibilities like the way they (handled) the Persian Gulf War,” he said. Brown said he suggested to President Bush that he appoint a blue ribbon federal commission on crime and violence to map out a comprehensive crime-control strategy. The police commissioner said New York City needs 2,000 officers just to handle drug enforcement. Tests have shown, he said, that 80% of those arrested tested positive for drugs.