DRUG AGENCY HEAD URGES VIGILANCE IN U.S. BATTLE

TULSA -- Drug Enforcement Administration Director Asa Hutchinson said
America needs to continue its battle against drugs and cited recent
successes tied to the war on terrorism as reasons to do so. Hutchinson,
speaking before more than 600 delegates at the National Sheriffs'
Association Convention in Tulsa on Tuesday, said the country needs to
resist efforts to loosen anti-drug laws and policies.

"We should not abandon the cause," Hutchinson said. "I think we win the
debate (on drug policy) if we wage it because we are right on this issue."

Hutchinson said increased border patrols following the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks have had a positive impact on controlling drug trafficking.

He said since Sept. 11, methamphetamine seizures in McAllen, Texas, have
risen 425 percent. Heroin seizures in that same time frame have risen 172
percent in Laredo, Texas. Both cities are on America's border with Mexico.

Hutchinson, a former Arkansas congressman, said such efforts need to continue.

"Clearly, we have to create a risk to traffickers who want to bring drugs
into this country."

Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz said increased seizures have made a
difference locally. As Tulsa drives out methamphetamine lab operators and
as the DEA clamps down on methamphetamine exporters, the price of the drug
rises and forces users into treatment.

Already, drug prices are going up in Tulsa, Glanz said. He could not cite
specific numbers.

Hutchinson said his agency will have to assume a bigger role in halting the
drug trade as the FBI focuses more resources on counterterrorism. On
Monday, FBI Director Robert Mueller said 400 agents currently investigating
drug crimes will be reassigned to counterterrorism.

That means the DEA and local law enforcement will have a bigger role in
enforcing the nation's drug policies, Hutchinson said.

He said the DEA will try to move 10 percent of its headquarters agents to
the field to help combat drug trafficking. He also said the agency needs to
be overhauled, as it has not re-evaluated what he called "current threats"
from the drug trade in 20 years.

Hutchinson said he is planning a three-month, 32-stop tour of American
cities to discuss the country's growing methamphetamine problem. One of
those stops will be in Oklahoma City, but he couldn't say when that would be.

Hutchinson also lauded local drug court and community sentencing programs
and said education and rehabilitation will be important elements in
stemming the drug trade.