BURNS VOWS TO FIGHT DRUGS

WASHINGTON - Utahn Scott M. Burns vowed Tuesday to bring together
state, local and federal officials nationally to fight drugs if he is
confirmed as the deputy director for state and local affairs for the
Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Burns, the four-term elected Iron County attorney, who ran
unsuccessfully twice for Utah attorney general, told the Senate
Judiciary Committee he has spent his career trying to build such
partnerships, including forming the first narcotics task force in
Utah.

"I have worked in the trenches. I hope to bring a message from the
trenches, from state and local people, to you," he told senators
during his confirmation hearing. "And I hope to take your message
back to state and local government."

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, told the committee that Burns - even though
he is from rural Cedar City - "is the most plugged-in guy I know,"
who has extensive contacts with law enforcement officials nationwide.
He said he has often used them to help Utah.

Utah Commissioner of Public Safety Robert L. Flowers, who recently
brought together state, local and federal agencies for Olympic
security, said he based many of his actions on lessons learned from
watching Burns earlier form that first narcotics task force in Utah.
He said Burns is a master of bringing together competing agencies.

Burns said when southern Utah was losing a battle against drug labs
and trafficking, he found "sheriffs who hated police chiefs, police
chiefs who thought the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) should be in
Washington and FBI agents who knew more than all of us."

He said once he and others figured out what agency needed - from a
pat on the back to more credit in press releases - he tried to
provide it, and they began to work together and win the war on drugs
in southern Utah.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said that first task force in Utah became a
model, "which has been repeatedly used to form other narcotics task
forces around the state. Scott has proven that he can bring people
together for a common cause."

Burns also said the war on drugs is serious and worth winning.

"I have observed the smuggling, distribution and illegal use of
marijuana; the rise in popularity and consequent devastation of
cocaine; the proliferation of methamphetamine laboratories . . . the
latest craze of GHB, ecstasy and other so-called 'club drugs,' " he
said.

Burns added that he has prosecuted crimes involving all of them and
worked with officials at all levels nationwide to attack drugs.

"I will strive, humbly, to speak their language in bridging whatever
gaps there may be on the national, state and local level," he said.

Burns faced no opposition during his hearing. Sen. Joseph Biden, D-
Del., who chaired it, said that strong support from Hatch, Bennett
and numerous officials nationwide seemed to ensure he will be
confirmed.