Nation / In Brief, Arizona

OFFICIAL CALLS DRUG FIGHT A FAILURE

A top Clinton drugcontrol strategist said the United States has been
unable to stop the smuggling of drugs across the Southwest border, a
newspaper reported. "Our current interdiction efforts almost completely
fail to achieve our purpose of reducing the flow of cocaine, heroin and
methamphetamines across the [Southwest] border," said Francis X. Kinney,
director of strategic planning for the Office of National Drug Control
Policy, in a memorandum acquired by the Arizona Republic. Kinney said the
U.S. must emphasize improved intelligence and hightech screening
equipment, the Republic reported.

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