THIS IS YOUR BUDGET POLICY ON DRUGS

progressreport.org
3/15/05

BUDGET -- THIS IS YOUR BUDGET POLICY ON DRUGS

The Bush administration claims to be committed to " reducing illegal drug use
(http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N10301752.htm) among teens."
You be the judge. In his latest budget, President Bush is pushing to
slash funds for the High Density Drug Trafficking Area program -- a
program which fights drug trafficking in the nation's toughest neighborhoods
-- by more than half, from $228 million to just $100 million. Police
chiefs and anti-drug agency heads expressed outrage over the cuts at a
House hearing yesterday. Sheriff Jack Merritt, of Green County, Illinois,
for example, testified: "My ability to work drug task forces, fight
crime and protect my constituents -- our constituents -- would be
devastated if the proposed reductions were to be enacted into law." Phoenix
Police Chief Jack Harris concurred, saying, "In Arizona alone, I know
several law enforcement agencies will not be able to continue" support for
the program. It's part of an overall pullback on vital programs to
treat drug problems in the United States today. Bush has also fought to cut
funds for a program to fight methamphetamine use
(http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/10755333.htm)
by 60 percent and totally eliminated the Safe and Drug Free Schools
(http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/nation/10875282.htm)
program, which "provides money to reduce drug use and violence among
kids."