American Notes WHITE HOUSE

By now it has become a melancholy truism that drugs have penetrated every segment of American society. Including the White House? Yes, presidential aides confirmed last week: two National Security Council clerks have been fired and three uniformed Secret Service guards suspended because of alleged drug use. Apparently it occurred off the job; Spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said there had been no use or sale of drugs on the White House grounds and no breaches of security.

Ronald Reagan pronounced himself "upset" and said the incident underscored "the need for mandatory testing." In fact, random testing of present | White House employees and pre-employment testing of future Secret Service hires is about to begin. In addition, Nancy Reagan might be well advised to direct some of her "just say no" lectures to her own staff.