A New Attack on Drugs

The Clinton administration proposes to end the divisive practice of labeling its hemispheric neighbors as cooperative or obstructive in combating drug traffic and replace it with a treaty to raise a mutual effort against the menace. In more than a decade on the books, Washington’s so-called certification process has done little but create unnecessary discord among countries fighting the same adversary.

The proposed treaty would create an alliance to suppress the production and transportation of drugs and establish an independent body to ensure that member nations comply with the program. This is a productive approach, a united effort instead of a report card issued each year by Washington.

The aim is to present the proposal in April when President Clinton meets with Latin American leaders in Santiago, Chile.

Under the current system, every year since 1986 the State Department has been required to certify to Congress whether Latin American countries where drugs are produced or transported are cooperating with the United States to halt the trade. And ever since that date, the process has only served to sour hemispheric relations. Indiana Rep. Lee Hamilton, the ranking Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, has described the process as “nuts,” and he’s right.

Clinton’s proposal calls for drug prevention, education and treatment of drug consumers. This is a battle that will have to be fought in the homes, schools, churches, workplaces and hospitals of the Americas. It will demand cooperation from U.S. agencies in the line of fire against narcotics traffickers: the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs Service, Coast Guard and Border Patrol. Abroad, the Latin American effort would focus on the points of origin. It would also emphasize participation in multilateral campaigns.

Some critics of the White House plan call it naively ambitious. Others ask how the treaty nations would find the funds for such an undertaking. The White House will have to deal with these issues and sell its ideas to a divided Congress. Prospects for this year are nil, as the State Department is required to present its certification documents March 1. But proponents should maintain the pressure and do the groundwork. Certification is broke and needs fixing.