NEW DEA CHIEF USES MAP AS MUCH AS WIT

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP)- Asa Hutchinson's seen a lot of the country in his
first year as director of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

The former congressman from northwest Arkansas's Third District - brother
of one of the state's two U.S. senators has been in 26 states since he was
sworn in Aug. 6, 2001 - much of it to push his "Meth in America - Not in
Our Town" program.

"One of the reasons that I think this tour is important is that meth is not
a big-city problem," he said. "Many of the areas I'll visit . . . are
smaller states and constantly struggle with the enormous social and
financial impact of meth."

The tour is also intended to raise awareness of drug courts and their
effectiveness in treating methamphetamine users and other addicts, the
Bentonville native said.

The DEA chief, a former U.S. attorney, told the Benton County Daily
Democrat that he has no regrets about his switch from making federal laws
to helping set national anti-drug policy, enforcing drug laws and informing
the public about anti-drug policies.

In addition to touting the meth awareness program, Hutchinson said the
Integrated Drug Enforcement Assistance program, combining law enforcement
and community coalitions, is a good one.

"The IDEA initiative . . . is the right approach to enforcement (combining)
what we're doing in dismantling the criminal organizations with building
the community support for reducing drug use," he said. "I'm encouraged and
I expect this . . . initiative to grow."

Hutchinson praised community-based anti-drug coalitions in Arkansas.

The new DEA chief has done everything from telephoning an agent shot in an
enforcement action in Puerto Rico to sending a plane to Surinam to pick up
a Colombian terrorist indicted for drug trafficking, testifying before
Congress and debating New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who favors legalized drugs.

He is especially proud of DEA personnel who helped dismantle a
cocaine-trafficking and money-laundering operation formerly headed by
Benjamin Arellano-Felix, who was captured in Puebla, Mexico, in March. He
also cited the recent apprehension and indictment of a Colombian terrorist.