USE THE STATE'S SURPLUS TO KEEP KIDS OFF DRUGS, ALCOHOL

Maryland's budget surplus, which could exceed $1 billion this year, along
with the $188 million the state will receive from the national settlement
with the tobacco companies, should allow the governor to be proactive on
drug intervention programs in our schools.

For the 2000-2001 school year, the state should expand state funded
substance abuse education, or expand the existing DARE programs that our
local police departments already have in place.

Now is the time to help stem adolescent smoking and alcohol and drug use.

What better way is there to spend the state's surplus than to curb these
addictions before they begin?

Kelly L. McCleary, Phoenix