DRUG AGENCY ENFORCES "LINE IN THE SAND"

The Feb. 10 editorial, "A bright and shining lie," offers an analysis of
the money spent addressing drug abuse prevention and treatment as a public
health problem. I agree that enhanced treatment and prevention are
essential, coupled with parental, church and school responsibility in
dealing with drug abuse, especially among our youth.

What troubles me are the negative statements regarding efforts of the Drug
Enforcement Administration in responding to the challenge of illicit drugs.
The statement that "chasing down 'drug kingpins' doesn't" work is a
misunderstanding of DEA's mission of enforcing substance laws and
undermines the necessary consolidated approach to the drug problem.

It would be naive to believe that arresting narcotics traffickers is the
only solution to the nation's drug scourge or, similarly, to think that
arresting bank robbers, rapists or muggers will cause those criminal
activities to cease. Enforcing drug laws is the necessary "line in the
sand" to protect all citizens against the ravages of violent crime and the
human carnage that these "drug kingpins" are more than willing to exact for
cold-blooded, enormous financial gains.

I appreciate the editorial for bringing awareness to the drug challenge.
Hopefully, it will encourage support for additional involvement in the
prevention and treatment arena. Be mindful, however, that rather than
dividing the drug effort, we should foster a unified, comprehensive effort
against drug abuse.

Joseph J. Corcoran, Special Agent in Charge, St. Louis Division, Drug
Enforcement Administration, Clayton