BIGGEST FIGHTS IN DRUG WARS LIE AHEAD

We've heard for a while now that the government is making progress in
the long-standing war against drugs - and that is worthy of praise.

Karen Tandy, administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration, told a gathering of law enforcement officers at a
conference in Gatlinburg this week that aggressive pursuit in the
fight against illegal drugs is paying off. The efforts have led to a
reduction in drug use as well as the overall availability of drugs.

Tandy said that use of LSD by teenagers is at a low level because of
strict enforcement of drug laws, that cocaine use continues to
decline, and there has been a 61 percent drop in use of the drug
ecstasy over the last two years. She also expressed pride in the
amount of money seized from drug offenders - on track to hit $1
billion this year and climbing.

Of course, that is a drop in the bucket for the $65 billion-a-year
illegal drug trade in the United States, and she admitted as much, but
the money will go to the agencies that found and confiscated the
drugs. Wise and proper use of those funds could provide further aid in
this horrific war.

At the same time, we have to take issue with Tandy's comments that the
government's victories in the drug war haven't been reported fairly by
the press. "Good news doesn't sell," she said.

We won't argue the validity of that statement, which possibly suffers
from overuse. However, we suspect the media would be pleased to report
the good news of progress in the drug wars if that progress can be
measured objectively and sustained over a period of time. We admit
that is easier said than done.

In Tennessee, for a big example, the federal government as well as
state and local governments have committed huge resources toward
fighting the scourge of methamphetamine. We believe the state will see
progress, but it is far too early to celebrate, even though we should
praise the effort behind it.

Tennessee leads the Southeast in the number of clandestine meth labs
authorities have discovered.

Last year, law enforcement officials seized 1,355 meth labs in the
state compared to 321 in North Carolina, according to Russ Dedrick,
first assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

Dedrick also spoke to the gathering about the activities of the
South/East Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force, which coordinated the
efforts of dozens of agencies in East Tennessee. Thus far, he said,
the task force's efforts have led to the conviction of 500 people on
meth charges in federal court and he estimated three times that number
in state courts.

Gov. Phil Bredesen and the Legislature earlier this month approved
legislation that put $7 million in state money into the fight. Part of
the money will be used for a drug court pilot project, and $1.5
million will go for a public awareness campaign.

The most heart-wrenching part of the problem, of course, is the news
that 750 young children in the state have been removed from the
custody of meth abusers.

That figure should stay with those fighting this war and remind them
and the general public how high the stakes really are.