FIGHTING DRUG USE

In the May 13 editorial "Fighting Heroin - New report highlights crucial
reforms," you outlined state Sen. Florence Shapiro's seven detailed
initiatives to combat teen drug use. I applaud her highlighting those
initiatives in the University of North Texas' report.

These recommendations can assist our communities, families and children in
thwarting teenage drug use. We are experiencing increasing frustration in
our ability to persuade our children not to become involved with drugs. I
agree with her that one factor in the proliferation of drugs is the drug
trafficking through our skies and airports.

As a solution, she cited the report's recommendation that Congress
designate the Dallas-Fort Worth area as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Area.

In an Oct. 16, 1997, letter to Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, director of the
Office of National Drug Control Policy, I joined Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison
and Phil Gramm in urging him to approve a proposal submitted to him by the
Dallas Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration to designate
the Dallas-Fort Worth area as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Reps.
Dick Armey, R-Irving, Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, Sam Johnson, R-Dallas,
Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, Martin Frost, D-Dallas, and Joe Barton, R-Ennis,
signed the letter and support the initiative.

Law enforcement officials can attest to the fact that the metroplex is
experiencing determined and well-funded drug trafficking. They need the
necessary resources that come with winning this designation. In the Houston
and Southwest border areas, drug problems have been alleviated through this
program.

Gen. McCaffrey is considering this initiative and its merits.

However, time is of the essence and our area youths need the High Intensity
Drug Trafficking Area designation to combat drug trafficking.

EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Member of Congress, 30th Congressional District,
Washington, D.C.

Checked-by: jwjohnson@netmagic.net (Joel W. Johnson)