DEA JOINS OUR TEAM

It is the kind of test that Northwest Missouri might just as soon fail, but
don't count on that. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will assign
an agent to work out of St. Joseph for a 90-day trial period. The agent
will join forces with the Drug Strike Force and the federally sanctioned,
multi-jurisdictional Northwest Missouri Interagency Team Response Operation
in the battle against illegal drugs. The emphasis will be on the makers of
methamphetamine who find our rural 26 counties an opportune environment.

"We all know the need is there," U.S. Rep. Sam Graves told our reporter.
"The DEA can bring some more resources to the table."

The DEA is only giving our area a fair trial after months of lobbying by
the Tarkio Republican. The agency's main division office is understandably
in St. Louis. But DEA agents are also posted in Kansas City, Jefferson
City, Springfield and Cape Girardeau. The congressman took our case
straight to the top with a meeting last fall with DEA Administrator Karen
Tandy.

"We talked at length about this, and I showed her the need," Mr. Graves
recalled. "We have just as much need in our area as in any of the other
areas of the state."

The real test starts now. The DEA connection brings important new weapons
to the Midland Empire's war on drugs. The new team also will need your
help. If you spot suspicious activity in your neighborhood, you should give
this new team a call. The final grade on this test will be based on our
team effort.