GROUP SHOULDERS NEW WAR ON DRUGS

Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin joined national legislative leaders and drug
enforcement officials Thursday in Washington at an event to kick off
the nation's latest war on drugs. About an hour later, Oklahoma
senators and representatives met at the state Capitol to pledge their
support for the idea.

The program, called "Shoulder to Shoulder," links the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency with women in state legislatures to fight the
spread of "club drugs" such as Ecstasy and educate the public about
the use of drugs to fund terrorism.

"Too many people realize too late that drug use can lead to
overwhelming loss," Fallin said.

"This effort will bring together parents, educators, business and
faith-based organizations."

Sen. Carol Martin, R- Comanche, who is heading up the effort for
Oklahoma women in the Legislature, said the nation has tried "Just
Say No" and sending users to jail, but it is time to try something
new.

"We need to get rid of demand and the only way to get rid of demand
is to have some kind of treatment," Martin said.

Martin and Sen. Nancy Riley, R-Tulsa, said women need to be involved
because drug use is tearing apart families.