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1993.04.29 :  Appointment -- Lee Brown

Contact:  HHS Press Office
Thursday, April 29, 1993                     (202) 690-6343

       HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala said today that the
counselor to the Secretary will serve as coordinator of HHS
efforts to counter drug abuse, and will act as the department's
liaison with the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
       "President Clinton has made an outstanding choice in his
selection of Lee Brown to be director of national drug control
policy, and we want to begin immediately to work with him to
review our drug abuse prevention and treatment efforts and
increase their effectiveness," Secretary Shalala said.  
       "As counselor to the Secretary, Peter Edelman will have
cross-cutting authority to see that the substantial activities of
the Public Health Service to counter drug abuse are complimented
and reinforced by activities in the other three operating
divisions of HHS," she said.  "We need to send consistent
messages and making significant efforts across the board to
eliminate drug abuse in our communities, and especially to get
drugs out of the lives of our young people."
       Primary HHS efforts to combat drug abuse are carried out
by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
and by the NIH's National Institute on Drug Abuse.  Total HHS
spending on drug abuse prevention and treatment as proposed by
President Clinton for FY 1994 would be $2.1 billion, an increase
of 8 percent.  For SAMHSA treatment activities in particular, the
President's budget calls for an increase of over 13 percent, to
$791 million.

       Under the President's investment strategy, new spending of
at least an additional $2.7 billion is to occur over the next
five years.  A prime objective will be to increase treatment
capacity as well as improve the effectiveness of prevention
efforts.

       "The President wants to put more emphasis on prevention
and treatment of drug abuse, and we want to lend our vigorous
support," Secretary Shalala said.  "Drugs are a factor in so many
of our nation's other problems, including especially those where
HHS has direct responsibilities.  Drugs constitute one of the
root problems which we must address if we are to achieve a
healthier and more productive America.

       "I am pleased to be able to give responsibility in this
area to Peter Edelman.  He will bring to this task a broad and
coherent vision of the directions we must take.  And he will have
the authority he needs to marshall the resources of our
department against the scourge and the tragedy of drug addiction
and abuse."

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