Pubdate: Tue, 05 Dec 2000 Date: 12/05/2000 Source: Washington Times (DC) Author: Redford Givens Authors: Redford Givens Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1813/a05.html In her Op-Ed "Downey and the drug war" (Dec. 3), Michelle Malkin makes a good point about the absurdity of meddling in Robert Downey Jr.'s private life, but evidently has no sympathy for black athletes such as Darryl Strawberry who receive far more attention from America's lunatic drug crusaders than white celebrities. If Downey deserves to be left alone, how much more so the hundreds of black athletes targeted by America's drug warriors. What crime has Strawberry committed that warrants prison or merits any interference in his life at all? Redford Givens, San Francisco