MELTON: I'LL SUCCEED OR RESIGN

Frank Melton, the governor's controversial pick to head the Mississippi
Bureau of Narcotics, says politics aside, he will do whatever it takes to
be successful. And if he can't cut it, he will voluntarily resign, he said.

Melton took reporters inside MBN's evidence room in Byram on Friday, asking
them to give him 90 days to get his programs under way.

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove on Wednesday named Melton, known for his commentary on
WLBT-Channel 3's Bottom Line, as his choice to replace Don Strange. Some
have criticized the selection, citing Melton's lack of law enforcement
experience.

Melton said he wants to be held accountable for the job he does or does not
do. "I'm not going to hide from (my responsibility)," he said. "Give me a
90-day review."

Melton opened up the evidence room for the first time to cameras and
reporters to demonstrate just how serious the drug problem is.

"This is really going to blow your mind," he said, revealing more than $1
billion in confiscated drugs.

"This stuff kills people," said an impassioned Melton.

The drugs are stored in envelopes, bags, clear plastic sweater boxes and
cardboard boxes, stacked on wooden shelves reaching to the ceiling.

"We're not playing at this. (Drugs) are out there destroying people's
lives," said Melton, chief executive officer of TV3 Inc. Foundation and
board member of Liberty Corp., owner of WLBT.

Melton's appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. Melton, 52, replaced
Strange, who resigned effective Sunday.

One reason for his resignation, Strange said, was that he could not
convince Musgrove or lawmakers to give him a $16.8 million appropriation to
run the MBN. Musgrove supported a $10 million budget while the Legislative
Budget Committee recommended $9.7 million.

Melton said he will meet with Musgrove and lawmakers to make his case to
shore up the agency's budget.

Melton, who said he won't accept the director's $60,000 salary nor the
state vehicle that goes with the job, said there will be "no fat" in his
budget proposal.

Melton would not comment on strategies to strengthen the enforcement side
of the agency.

While drug lords may be powerful, federal, state and local law enforcement
officers are "more powerful," Melton said, promising if the dealers get
"unconventional, we are going to be unconventional."

Steve Mallory, chairman of the University of Southern Mississippi's
Department of Criminal Justice and former deputy director of the MBN, said
the war on drugs can be won, but it will take adequate resources to do so.

Though there's no way to measure the positive effects the war on drugs has
had, Mallory said he believes lives have been saved thanks to tough
enforcement.

"I spent 25 years in drug enforcement. I would have put my badge down if I
didn't believe we could make progress," he said.

"I don't believe we will ever eliminate drug use, but ... I do believe we
can have an impact," he said.

Asked again about his lack of law enforcement experience, Melton said he
was brought on board to provide leadership and "to make sure (MBN agents)
have the tools and resources to do the job."

While supportive of Melton and recognizing his charisma and leadership
skills, Mallory said, "I'm convinced his lack of experience will hammer him."

He noted that Melton will certainly encounter "sensitive areas" that
require "experience and training. And that's his weakness."

In addition to supporting his officers, Melton said he plans to launch a
comprehensive drug education program.

Melton told reporters he planned to bring together the heads of all
agencies - public and private - that deal with children, and come up with a
comprehensive drug education program.

Melton said he will call on experts to serve on an advisory board, which he
will invite every 90 days to "clean our clocks" if they see he is failing.

Agencies mentioned include the state departments of Education and Human
Services, the United Way and Stewpot Community Services.

Bill Bates, vice president of resource development for the United Way of
the Capital Area, said his agency would have to see what Melton had in
mind, but would "certainly be willing to entertain whatever we could do to
help in that area.

"Obviously one of the areas of focus that the United Way has is nurturing
children and youth. One aspect of that is intervention and prevention as it
relates to drug and alcohol abuse," he said.

"The United Way views that as a community problem."

While he applauds Melton's efforts to launch a drug education program,
Mallory said the mission of the MBN is drug enforcement.

"If funds are left over for education and prevention, that should be done,"
Mallory said, adding that a lot of other deserving programs and state
agencies will also be seeking funding increases when the Legislature gets
back to town in January.