NEW APPROACH NEEDED ON DRUGS

Think America is winning the war against drugs? Think again -- and this
time forget the rhetoric.

Simply look at the price list.

A scarcity of drugs produces high prices all the way through the pipeline
and on the street. More than enough drugs result in lower prices.

In America, the prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen to record lows and
the drugs remain widely -- and easily -- available, federal officials report.

Ironically, the low prices and easy availability are being reported at the
same time that the White House drug control policy director is insisting
that progress is being made against drug use in the United States.

Appearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee, policy director Barry
McCaffrey had a hard time making things connect. For example, he told
lawmakers that drug use and drug-related crime among young people declined
during the past year.

Then he said that heroin has become more popular among young people and
says methamphetamines have a "serious potential nationally to become the
next 'crack' cocaine epidemic." ...

The report estimated that there were 454 metric tons of cocaine shipped to
the United States in 1998, up from 396 metric tons a year earlier. A metric
ton is 2,205 pounds. Marijuana remained the most readily available illegal
drug. Prices ranged from $400 to $1,000 per pound in the Southwest to
between $700 and $2,000 per pound in the Midwest and Northeast. ...

McCaffrey issued a grim warning about a fairly new illicit drug.
Methamphetamine is "one of the most dangerous substances America has ever
confronted," he said. The report estimated that 4.7 million people in the
U.S. have tried this drug and its use is spreading. ...

Short of rhetoric, this report becomes almost a cry for help.

Illicit drug use has become the single most destructive force in this
country's history.

The way we have tried to deal with this problem hasn't worked. It isn't
working now.

There will have to be a new way, a new effort.

Decision should rest with father

The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg, S.C.

A federal appeals court made the correct decision this week, ruling that
Elian Gonzalez cannot appeal for asylum in this country against his
father's wishes. ...

The court's ruling backed the wisdom of the officials with the Immigration
and Naturalization Service, who decided that a 6-year-old boy does not know
enough about politics to appeal for political asylum for himself. INS
officials had declared that only a parent can make those decisions for a child.

And they are right. Decisions about a child's upbringing and what system of
government a child will live under is the prerogative of his parents.

Putting a stop to info release

Times-Reporter of Dover, Ohio

The idea that anyone, for a price, could tap into the Ohio Bureau of Motor
Vehicles drivers' license databanks for personal information was unsettling
to many citizens.

Most of those requesting such data were bulk mail distributors for surveys,
marketing or solicitations. Although any driver could fill out a form to
prevent release of such information, termed the "opt-out policy, this still
was an inconvenience.

As of June 1, however, "opt-out" has become "opt-in." Under House Bill 600
and the Federal Driver's Policy Protection Act, the OBMV will no longer
release personal information such as person's name, date of birth and
address. With the new law, such information will only be released if the
individual completes a form giving express consent for disclosure.

But the use of OBMV data as fodder for the mass mailers and telemarketers
is no longer an option -- unless you actually want to be a recipient. If
that's the case, just fill out the form.