Audience members also asked McCaffrey about the United States' involvement in interdiction efforts in Latin America. The Clinton administration earmarked over $1.3 billion in new funds for assisting government counternarcotics efforts in Colombia in 2000. McCaffrey defended the policy as necessary to stem the flow of drugs to the United States.

"Colombia is in agony. They are a democracy, and they have all of these problems, and they are mostly caused by drugs and the hundreds of millions of bucks corrosively wearing away their security and stability," he said.

While audience members varied in their level of support of American drug policy, many felt that McCaffrey treated the matter in an intellectual manner.

"I was glad to hear him speak of drugs as a health problem more than as a criminal justice problem," said Alberto I. Glender, a Mexican native and a student at the Kennedy School "This health problem is translated into the biggest drug market in the world."

"Something I respected about the [McCaffrey's] speech was that he was not bashful to answer direct questions about controversial policy," said David S. Zlotlow, another student pursuing a master's degree. "I don't agree with some of his conclusions, but I felt that they seemed very well reasoned."

For one audience member at least, McCaffrey's words were reassuring. "It was interesting to see the perspective of the US government and people," Mara I. Hernandez said.

"In Mexico, where I'm from, we are protective of our sovereignty, and everybody always says we should take care of our own problem, and that the U.S. should take care of demand. It was reassuring to see McCaffrey focus on demand while still pushing for multinational action."