A WEEKLY LAURELS AND LAMENT

In a visit to Milwaukee last May, federal drug czar Barry McCaffrey
dismissed the notion of a drug war, instead terming drug abuse a cancer that
needs to be managed, treated and prevented.

Unfortunately, what's happening on the streets often sounds more like
warfare than medicine.

Warning of an "extremely potent and highly addictive" form of heroin now
making its way to Wisconsin, law enforcement officials have announced
formation of a special squad to combat the problem.

A federal grant will enable agencies to "focus primarily on the lethal
mixture of drugs, gangs and guns in Milwaukee," said U.S. Attorney Thomas
Schneider. Call it what you will, Gen. McCaffrey: The fact is, America is at
war, with a seemingly insatiable appetite for drugs and criminals who
eagerly attempt to meet that demand.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst