STATE DAS HONOR LOCAL LAWMAKER

OKLAHOMA CITY - Dedication and persistence in passing stronger drug
enforcement laws have landed Rep. Kenneth Corn an appreciation award from
the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association for his efforts.

The Howe Democrat was honored at an ODAA awards breakfast Aug. 3 at Quartz
Mountain Resort.

Other lawmakers attending the awards ceremony were Reps. Jari Askins,
D-Duncan, and David Braddock, D-Altus, and Sen. Jerry L. Smith, R- Tulsa.

Each received a small replica of the Liberty Bell, with their names
engraved and the words, 'in appreciation.'

Other legislators who received the award but did not attend the breakfast
included House Speaker Larry E. Adair, D-Stilwell; Rep. Mike Wilt,
R-Bartlesville, House GOP Leader Fred Morgan, R-Oklahoma City; Senate
President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore; and Sens. Glenn Coffee,
R-Oklahoma City; Cal Hobson, D-Lexington; Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater; and
J.R. Dick Wilkerson, D-Atwood. Secretary of State Mike Hunter also was
recognized.

ODAA Executive Director Suzanne McClain Atwood said, "The district
attorneys of Oklahoma are grateful to these legislators for their
dedication to the improvement of our criminal justice system and for their
support of issues vital to prosecutors."

Corn said he kept his word to introduce stronger legislation after his
initial House Bill 1860 the Deep Six Drug Enforcement and Eradication Plan
- - stacked up last year in a logjam of bills pending during the last days of
the regular session.

"It's been a tough road to strengthen Oklahoma's drug laws. There have been
many disappointments, but persistence has paid off with an even stronger
new law to reduce or eradicate unlawful substances in this state,"

Corn said. "An award like this one from the District Attorneys Association
affirms my dedication to help remove the availability of dangerous drugs
from Oklahomans."

Some provisions of Corn's first drug eradication measure were incorporated
into House Bill 1411.

Corn was the principal author of that measure, which passed the House but
died in a Senate Appropriations subcommittee.

Still refusing to give up the battle to reduce or alleviate the manufacture
and distribution of illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, Corn was
successful in incorporating provisions of HB 1411 into Senate Bill 753, of
which he was the House sponsor.

That measure cleared the Legislature and became law in July.

The bill requires lawbreakers to pay a $5 assessment to help finance a new
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation accredited forensic laboratory.

Corn said the new fee is expected to generate $3.7 million annually to be
used to build a spacious $12 million forensic facility in Oklahoma City.

Corn said the new lab, coupled with hiring additional employees, will
enable the OSBI to clear a backlog of 5,000 to 6,000 cases up to three
years old.

Clandestine methamphetamine labs uncovered by law enforcement officials -
710 of them last year alone - can be blamed for much of that backlog, he said.

SB 753 also requires prisoners convicted of first-or second-degree burglary
to submit genetic DNA samples to the OSBI to be included in the DNA
Offender Database.

Several other provisions copied from HB 1411 and incorporated in SB 753
include:

* Knowingly allowing a child to be present at a location where drugs are
manufactured will constitute the felony crime of child endangerment,
punished by imprisonment up to four years and a fine up to $5,000;

* Anyone who manufactures drugs within 2,000 feet of a family child care
home, a child care center, a large family child care home or part-day child
care program will be liable for treble damages for any loss or harm caused;

* Anyone convicted of manufacturing a controlled, dangerous substance
cannot get out of jail on bond if he/she appeals that conviction; and,

* A Drug Eradication and Enforcement Plan fund will provide grants to
county prosecutors, sheriffs and police departments to be used to eradicate
unlawful drugs and the enforcement of drug laws.

The grants can be used to buy law enforcement equipment, drug-sniffing
dogs, provide matching funds for federal grants, finance training programs
or drug education and awareness courses, or to underwrite drug courts, Corn
said.

The second-term legislator is a member of the House Appropriations and
Budget Committee.