PUT FUNDING IN REHABILITATION

President Bush's administration is stripping the budget in order to cut
back government spending, but we don't like proposed cuts in the fight
against illegal methamphetamine use.

The White House wants to eliminate funding for meth task forces. Oklahoma
received $4.5 million out of a national task force budget of $634 million
last year, and an official said the proposed cut would wipe out half of the
state's special task forces.

We are not against cutting task forces. Let them go. But let's keep the
funding and put it toward rehabilitation.

Some will contend that it's enforcement that is making a difference, and we
understand their argument. But in recent years, the state has simply
increased its county jail and prison loads, and the state's drug problem is
not going away.

We believe funding should be available for more rehabilitation programs for
people who recognize they have a problem and want help.

Don't cut the funding; just move it to programs that will change lives.