JOHANNS PLANS WAR ON DRUGS

Gov. Mike Johanns said his three-pronged attack in the war on drugs
put Nebraska in great shape for upcoming battles.

Speaking from the Western Governor's Association in Boise, Idaho,
Johanns told a press conference Tuesday that this year's new programs
will make a significant difference in the war against drugs.

Among his proposals passed in the recent Legislature:

$3 million over the next two years to fund early childhood development
and education.

$636,326 over the next two years for eight new State Patrol
troopers.

$91 million over the next two years for mental health and substance
abuse programs.

$210,000 in state funds and $426,000 in federal funds for expansion of
the juvenile facilities at the Office of Juvenile Services in Hastings.

"These programs attack the drug problem on three sides," Johanns said.
"Through intervention, enforcement and treatment we can make a difference.

"Nebraska is in better position than ever before to address the drug
problems in our state. We can win more battles for the lives of
Nebraskans in this drug war."

Col. Tom Nesbitt, head of the State Patrol, added that tougher
penalties for users and distributors of methamphetamine, more
troopers, advanced training and participation in the D.A.R.E. (Drug
Abuse Resistance Education) program are all parts of Nebraska's
stepped-up attack on drugs.

He said the enactment of the law banning nonagricultural use of
anhydrous ammonia - a key to manufacturing meth - will help stop the
500 percent increase in theft of the product from Nebraska farms. He
added that Nebraska is seeing an influx of meth producers as
neighboring states step up enforcement.

The summit Johanns is attending culminates a yearlong effort to
address drug abuse in the western states. Last fall, drug policy
academies were conducted in Phoenix and Lincoln as part of the program.