'GLOBAL DRUG TRADE FUNDS EVERYTHING THAT IS EVIL IN THE WORLD' - PUTNAM

Polk County has made dramatic strides in shutting down
methamphetamine labs in Polk, but drugs from Columbia and Afghanistan
are filling the void.

That was the message from Congressman Adam Putnam and Sheriff Grady
Judd at Wednesday's "Just Say No" luncheon at the Bartow Civic Center.

The luncheon followed a "Just Say No" parade and a rally for fifth
graders at the Bartow High School gymnasium. Participants came from
13 public and private elementary schools in Bartow, Fort Meade,
Highland City, Mulberry and Eagle Lake.

Judd told the joint civic club luncheon that the sheriff's office
shut down 17 meth labs in Polk in 2002, 13 in 2003, and six each in
2004 and 2005. This year none have been found, an indication that
meth manufacturing has left the county, he said.

He credited Putnam with helping get a federal High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area grant to help fight meth production.

But the elimination of local manufacture of meth simply means that
more drugs are being imported, he said.

Introducing Putnam as the keynote speaker, Judd said it was "like
introducing Adam to his family."

Referring to Polk's arrest of a Dept. of Homeland Security executive
on an Internet-based morals charge, Putnam told Judd:

"You're doing a better job of rooting out problems in Homeland
Security than Congress is."

Putnam cited statistics about the number of students who have been
exposed to or have used illegal drugs, often on school campuses.

"We have to have the involvement of the parents," whose influence is
the most important factor in discouraging children from using illegal
drugs, he said.

Tobacco and alcohol "are the gateway drugs" which typically precede
the use of illegal narcotics, he said.

"The war on drugs is an evolving war.

"We face a global drug trade that funds everything that is evil in
the world," particularly global terrorism, Putnam said.

"Our challenge is global in scope. Global demand continues to grow in
the former Soviet republics and especially in China," he said.

"Columbia essentially is in a civil war between drug factions."

American intervention in the drug business in Columbia, which
produces 80 percent of the world's supply of cocaine, has cut drug
production by one-third, he said.

"What's going on in Bogota (Columbia's capital city) has a direct
impact in the I-4 corridor."

The government of Afghanistan "was totally supported by the drug
trade" before the United States intervened, he said.

"It's hard to sell poor farmers on growing corn or beans instead of poppy."

Putnam praised parents and other volunteers who lead Scout
organizations, 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, and recreational
activities for youngsters.

"Ball fields are a heck of a lot cheaper to build than jail cells," he said.

He credited Bartow's "sense of community" with helping to maintain a
wholesome environment for young people.

By investing in education and in character development, the community
helps youngsters to learn "to be a cog in a wheel that's bigger than
themselves.

"We have to build on the success that we already have.

"Keep them safe from drugs, keep them safe on-line, keep them safe in
their after-school activities.

"Every one of them has a dream; every one of them has the potential
to achieve their dreams."