MELTON BRINGS INTANGIBLES TO DRUG AGENCY

Unusual, but promising. This is our assessment of Gov. Ronnie Musgrove's
appointment Wednesday of Frank Melton to lead the Mississippi Bureau of
Narcotics.

Melton replaces former director Don Strange, who resigned last month after
nearly three years as head of the department.

Melton, the chief operating officer of WLBT-3 TV in Jackson, lacks a law
enforcement background - a quality that most people consider necessary to
succeed as director of the state's chief drug enforcement agency.

Clearly, Melton will face a steep learning curve in his new position.

On the other hand, he brings a number of intangibles to the job that could
prove extremely beneficial to the department.

Melton is a highly successful businessman who knows how to manage an
organization. In addition to his duties as chairman and CEO of TV-3 Inc.
Foundation, he also sits on the board of directors of Liberty Corporation,
a large media group.

Melton is also an outspoken proponent of anti-drug programs, and has often
used his "Bottom Line" editorial segments on WLBT to promote important
community causes. Slowing the spread of elicit drugs and beefing up drug
enforcement are twin passions the new director holds deeply.

But most importantly, Melton possesses the charisma and political
connections to make the state Bureau of Narcotics a highly visible
organization.

Strange, who resigned in frustration over the lack of funding for the
bureau, struggled to drum up support for drug enforcement in both the
legislative and executive branches of state government.

Melton may not possess Strange's vast experience in drug enforcement. He
may lack Strange's connections at the federal level - one of the many
strengths the former director brought to his job.

However, Melton, by virtue of his personal persona and political
connections in state politics, is likely to give the drug enforcement
agency greater visibility and additional clout in Jackson and around the state.

And come budget time, that could translate into additional funding for an
agency that has received short shrift from lawmakers.