CALIFORNIA NEEDS ANTI-DRUG AGENCY

I am greatly disappointed to learn that the California Bureau of
Narcotic Enforcement is being dissolved. BNE, the oldest narcotic
enforcement agency in the United States, is the catalyst that
solidifies municipal, county and state efforts in drug enforcement.
Yes, we have the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency; however, it is limited
and expend its resources on major narcotic violators at a national
and international level. (A federal agent can't even serve a
California search warrant.) BNE, on the other hand, focuses
collectively on major and mid-level violators at the same time it
manages narcotic task force operations.

As a public servant of 30 years, I am aware that the majority of
local complaints received on drug violators are addressed by narcotic
task forces. This subsequently relieves patrol personnel to address
other and more violent crimes. BNE is the foundation and the glue
that provides supervision, funds, and in some counties the
infrastructure of the organization. BNE provides leadership and
direction in 48 narcotic task forces throughout the state limiting
narcotic activities. Without BNE, these task forces will also
dissolve due to the memorandum of understanding with participating
agencies and their reliance on BNE's experience and management.

When you consider that the average annual expenditure by municipal
and county law enforcement agencies nationwide on narcotic
enforcement is between 3 percent and 4 percent, then you will realize
the removal of state narcotic enforcement will leave an enormous gap
in employing state and federal narcotic laws.

Having resided in California since 1959, I can assure you that trying
to save state funds by allowing rampant drug use is not the answer.

Ed Pecis, Weed