A NEW KIND OF GENERAL IN THE WAR ON DRUGS

The war on drugs has many more defeats than victories, so Gov. Ronnie
Musgrove is to be given credit for trying something different. He has
selected Frank Melton - a television station executive from Jackson with no
law enforcement experience - to be the next director of the state Bureau of
Narcotics.

Melton, who has said he will decline the position's $60,000 salary, must be
confirmed by the state Senate, which reconvenes next month.

On his own, Melton has crisscrossed Mississippi like a missionary trying to
salvage the lives of young people ensnarled in drug use. State senators
ought to give him an opportunity to destroy the drug culture in an official
capacity.

We've tried just about everything else. Maybe it is time for some
missionary zeal.