20 APPOINTED TO STATE DRUG POLICY PANEL

HELENA Gov. Judy Martz and Attorney General Mike McGrath on Thursday
announced that 20 Montanans, from legislators to law officers, will serve
on the state's newly created drug-control policy task force.

Martz and McGrath created the task force last month, with the intent of
developing a statewide drug-control policy for Montana. In its 10-month
lifespan, the committee will investigate issues including alcohol and
tobacco us among minors, along with the state's methamphetamine epidemic.
The task force will also explore ideas for prevention, education and
treatment programs.

"The abuse of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs has a devastating impact
on our society, and we must find ways to reduce its toll," Martz said in a
press release naming the task force members. "We need to seek out and
implement strategies that will work.i

The 20-member groups represents a broad range of society, and McGrath said
last month that he expects even more people to get involved as the
committee tackles specific issues.

"It was imperative that task force members bring a variety of experience
and insight into this process," McGrath said in a news release naming the
members. "This group has the opportunity to craft statewide policies in
areas that will affect Montanans for generations to come."

The law enforcement members are Mike Batista, head of the Justice
Department's Criminal Investigation Division; Billings Deputy Police Chief
Jerry Archer, Cascade County Sheriff John Strandell, prosecutor and Rep.
Joey Jayne, D-Arlee; state District Judge Susan Watters of Billings, and
Butte juvenile probation chief Marko Lucich,

From the drug treatment area, members are Peg Shea, director of Turning
Point in Missoula; Roland Menna, chief of the stateis Chemical Dependency
Bureau; Mary Fay, head of state probation and parole; and Bill Snell,
executive director of In-Care Network, Inc., of Billings.

Members with experience in drug-abuse prevention are Cathy Kendall of the
state Office of Public Instruction, Janet Meissner of the Great Falls
Alliance for Youth, Robin Morris, director of Havre HELP; and Rick
Robinson, executive director of the Northern Cheyenne Boys and Girls Club.

Representing the health-care field is Dr. Dave Jackson of Billings.
Lawmakers are Sen. Duane Grimes, R-Clancy, and Jayne. Business people on
the task force are Steve Morris of the Montana Tavern Association and Karen
Olson-Beenken of Sidney, a member of the Montana Chamber of Commerce board.

Victims' advocates are Bill Muhs of Mothers Against Drunk Driving of
Gallatin County and Mary Haydal of Miles City.

The task force, being funded through a grant, will meet for the first time
on Feb. 6.