DRUG WAR

Long-Range Strategy Prudent Move

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics seems poised to emerge reinvigorated
with new Director Don Strange's five-year plan for cooperation with
neighboring states.

His plan, unveiled this week, would coordinate operations with authorities
in Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.

When coupled with a new emphasis on working with local authorities
statewide, Strange's strategy could give a new sense of direction to and
help build morale in the troubled agency.

The 250-worker MBN suffered under the past administration. Strange was
appointed by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove on March 1.

A July report by the Legislature's Performance Evaluation and Expenditure
Review (PEER) Committee said former Director Tom Blain's management
"created a work environment that may have influenced 50 voluntary or forced
resignations . . . including 29 field agents and six field agent
supervisors."

Seven former agents have rejoined MBN. Strange has changed duties and
salaries and added new agents and an intelligence analyst to each of the
bureau's 12 districts.

Effective drug law enforcement is a crucial area. Providing a long-range
strategy can not only benefit MBN, but help protect the lives and property
of Mississippians.