NEW STATE DRUG CZAR HAS A PLAN

Most Floridians have never heard of James McDonough,
but they will in the future. He is the state's ``drug czar'' and
will implement a strategy to deal with the problems illegal
narcotics are causing in our state.

The announcement of McDonough as the coordinator of the new Florida
Drug Control Office hardly seems a political ploy to look ``tough on
drugs.'' He will report directly to the governor, and, more
importantly, he has the credentials for the job.

McDonough, 52, spent several years in Florida before beginning his
26-year military career. He most recently led a national anti-drug
program in Washington under retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, the director
of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

``The first step is to get informed, to learn firsthand the extent of
the problem,'' says McDonough. ``We need to go into the communities,
visit the neighborhoods, listen to the families, visit the schools,
visit the police, and look at every aspect of the problem.''

McDonough has found during his short time in office that no one has
been able to accurately account for the $175 million in federal
anti-drug money the state received last year. Once he gets his staff
assembled for this new state position, accountability will likely
become the norm.

McDonough appears to be a good choice for the job. He knows we may
never totally eliminate the use of illegal drugs. However, he has a
goal to cut drug use in half within five to seven years, and that
would be a significant accomplishment indeed.