cannabisnews.com: New DEA Chief Uses Map as Much as Wit





New DEA Chief Uses Map as Much as Wit
Posted by CN Staff on July 28, 2002 at 20:47:33 PT
By The Associated Press
Source: Commercial Appeal 
Asa Hutchinson's seen a lot of the country in his first year as director of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The former congressman from northwest Arkansas's Third District - brother of one of the state's two U.S. senators has been in 26 states since he was sworn in Aug. 6, 2001 - much of it to push his "Meth in America - Not in Our Town" program. 
"One of the reasons that I think this tour is important is that meth is not a big-city problem," he said."Many of the areas I'll visit . . . are smaller states and constantly struggle with the enormous social and financial impact of meth." The tour is also intended to raise awareness of drug courts and their effectiveness in treating methamphetamine users and other addicts, the Bentonville native said. The DEA chief, a former U.S. attorney, told the Benton County Daily Democrat that he has no regrets about his switch from making federal laws to helping set national anti-drug policy, enforcing drug laws and informing the public about anti-drug policies. In addition to touting the meth awareness program, Hutchinson said the Integrated Drug Enforcement Assistance program, combining law enforcement and community coalitions, is a good one. "The IDEA initiative . . . is the right approach to enforcement (combining) what we're doing in dismantling the criminal organizations with building the community support for reducing drug use," he said. "I'm encouraged and I expect this . . . initiative to grow." Hutchinson praised community-based anti-drug coalitions in Arkansas. The new DEA chief has done everything from telephoning an agent shot in an enforcement action in Puerto Rico to sending a plane to Surinam to pick up a Colombian terrorist indicted for drug trafficking, testifying before Congress and debating New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who favors legalized drugs. He is especially proud of DEA personnel who helped dismantle a cocaine-trafficking and money-laundering operation formerly headed by Benjamin Arellano-Felix, who was captured in Puebla, Mexico, in March. He also cited the recent apprehension and indictment of a Colombian terrorist. "Those are two enforcement victories," he said.Source: Commercial Appeal (TN)Published: July 28, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Commercial AppealContact: letters gomemphis.comWebsite: http://www.gomemphis.com/Related Articles & Web Site:CNN Crossfire: The Medical Marijuana Debatehttp://www.pot-tv.net/ram/pottvshowse1436.ram Raving Mad - AlterNethttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13554.shtmlCrossfire Transcripts: Keith Stroup & Hutchinsonhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13530.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by krutch on July 30, 2002 at 09:28:36 PT:
I Don't Protest Legalizing Other Drugs
I did not realize that Johnson had talked about drugs besides MJ in the past. I don't advocate the use of hard drugs, but I don't believe that keeping them illegal helps anybody. The only drug I am concerned about is cannabis. Its legal status effects just about everyone I know. 
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Comment #5 posted by Zero_G on July 29, 2002 at 15:23:35 PT
Gov. Johnson
Originally came out for outright legaliztion of drugs, a position which I support, though I suspect, would be a minority viewpoint, even here.He has since advocated a more moderated approach, singling cannabis for legalization and other substances for study, in recognition of lack of popular support.I, for one, would have preferred that he stuck to his guns... 
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Comment #4 posted by krutch on July 29, 2002 at 14:50:02 PT:
Wit?
When I hear Asa I don't hear wit. I hear half-wit. The guy is a royal idiot.I love it when they say Gary Johnson favors legalized drugs. I think Johnson only wants to legalize one drug. In the eyes of the DEA and the AP all drugs are the same. If you are okay with legal pot then you must also want legal cocaine and heroin.As for busting Benjamin Arellano-Felix. I am not impressed. How many times do they have to cut off the head of the hydra before the realize that it will aways grow back. I wonder how many coke addicts were turned away from rehab today because they couldn't afford it. "Sorry kid, come back when you get busted and the court orders you into rehab."
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Comment #3 posted by Dark Star on July 29, 2002 at 13:11:02 PT
Right
Using Hutchinson and "wit" in the same piece is an oxymoron. He has proved to be an ideologue and propagandist.
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Comment #2 posted by john wayne on July 29, 2002 at 13:04:39 PT
nothing from nothing leaves nothing
"New DEA Chief Uses Map as Much as Wit"So that means that he doesn't use "Map" at all.
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Comment #1 posted by BGreen on July 29, 2002 at 00:40:51 PT
I wouldn't sign this piece of crap either
The author was so busy kissing Asas' Assa that they forgot to sign their work.
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