
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 24, 1990                   TAG: 9005240318
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

DRUG DEATHS DECREASED 17 IN '89

Drug-related deaths dropped dramatically in the last three months of 1989 and were down about 17 percent for the year, according to preliminary figures from medical examiners nationwide.

The data mean that drug abuse "is no longer spiraling wildly out of control," said David Tell, deputy chief of staff to William Bennett, the director of national drug control policy. "Bodies are not piling up as a result of cocaine or any other drug."

However, Tell said that the good news will not translate into any reduction in the $10.6 billion the Bush administration hopes to spend next year to fight drug abuse.

- Associated Press

by CNB