From: [b--r--e] at [phyto.rsmas.miami.edu] ()
Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs
Subject: General tells Senate Drug War a Waste
Date: 17 Feb 1995 12:36:18 GMT



Warner calls for review of drug strategy - 
Maybe they are finally getting the message...
Here are highlights:

Copyright: 1995 by The Associated Press
	WASHINGTON (AP) -- The multibillion-dollar U.S. war on drugs has
done little to stop the flow of cocaine and other narcotics into
the United States, a top general told lawmakers Thursday.
	Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, head of the U.S. Southern Command
encompassing all of Latin America, said that despite a well
organized and costly counter-drug operation, ``these current
efforts are not achieving their purpose.''
	``A multiyear effort involving substantial resources and
enormous energy and creativity,'' McCaffrey said, ``has not had the
effect we desired.''
	Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee expressed concern
that a $13 billion annual U.S. commitment to the war on drugs has
produced so little.
	``Your message is candid but very discouraging,'' said Sen.
Richard Bryan, D-Nev. ``I don't see how we impact this overall
problem.''
	Sen. John Warner, R-Va., suggested that the Pentagon conduct a
``bottom-up review'' of its anti-drug efforts and develop new
strategies.
	McCaffrey portrayed an insatiable drug market able to adapt to
law enforcement agencies by quickly changing drug routes and
methods of production.
	``All too often, progress in one area is offset by a negative
development elsewhere,'' McCaffrey said. ``As long as there is
domestic demand, some entrepreneur will find a way to meet it.''
	While he acknowledged the difficulty of tackling the drug
problem, McCaffrey rejected suggestions that it is insurmountable.
	``I think part of the problem has been our decision to call it a
war,'' McCaffrey said. ``I prefer to think of it as more of a
cancer. I don't think about achieving victory but about dealing
with the problem.''

-- 
Charlie Byrne * University of Miami * Div of Marine Biology and Fisheries
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 * Voice: (305) 361-4705
Usual disclamers apply.