LAWMAKER QUESTIONS DRUG-POLICY MEETING

Detroit - A meeting of state and federal law enforcement officials
scheduled for today in Detroit to discuss a Michigan ballot proposal may
violate federal law, U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, has charged in a
letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Conyers asked DEA Director Asa Hutchinson to investigate whether the meeting
- -- described in a letter from the Detroit DEA office as an opportunity to
discuss ways to combat drug legalization proposals -- was political activity
by a government agency that is prohibited.

The proposal, expected to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot, would require the
state to relax sentences for drug crimes and provide treatment to drug
users.

Conyers, a frequent critic of current prison policies, said he had no
objection to citizens expressing their views about a proposal, but said it
is unclear whether "federally funded agencies and their employees can be
used to spread a message or promote a campaign."

DEA officials could not be reached Sunday for comment.