DON'T ABANDON DRUG WAR

Far more Americans have suffered from illegal drugs than were victims of
last fall's terrorist attacks. Yet the FBI apparently is ready to declare a
truce in the nation's war against drugs.

FBI Director Robert Mueller this week said that demands of the war against
terrorism have prompted his agency to pull agents out of narcotics task
forces. Drug enforcement no longer is a top priority, Mueller said.
Attorney General John Ashcroft, in a speech before Mueller made his
comments, appeared to attempt to lessen some of the shock. Federal agencies
will continue to battle illegal drugs, Ashcroft said. In fact, they have
created a "most wanted list" of 54 drug organizations, the attorney general
said.

Ashcroft's comments will be of small comfort to those who understand that
brave words such as those involved in the "most wanted list" pledge are
virtually useless without some means of enforcement. For years, the FBI has
been in the front lines of the war against illegal drugs. Pulling agents
out of the ranks now will create an incredible opportunity for drug lords.

Law enforcement resources are limited and attempting to pursue too many
types of criminals could reduce the FBI to an ineffective farce. But the
war against drugs is too important for the FBI to, in effect, raise a white
flag. Ashcroft and Mueller may need to request additional funding from
Congress in order to pursue both wars - but surrender in either one should
not be an option.