Pubdate: Fri 17 December 1999 Source: Dayton Daily News (OH) Contact: http://www.activedayton.com/partners/ddn/ Forum: http://www.activedayton.com/entertainment/forums_chat/ CZAR TAGS OHIO AS DRUG MECCA DRUGS AREN'T JUST A BIG-CITY OR national problem any more, U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey said Wednesday. He said the national drug problem has mutated into local epidemics throughout the nation, including Ohio. The state borders on Kentucky, which with Tennessee and West Virginia produces more than 40 percent of the marijuana grown in this country. Ohio also is within easy driving distance from New York- New Jersey, a drug-trafficking hub. Ohio was among 31 drug locales Mr. McCaffrey identified as high-intensity drug-trafficking areas due to receive concerted attention from federal, state and local law-enforcement and prosecution agencies. Marijuana is not the threat that drugs such as cocaine and heroin are, but the trafficking can be corrosive. Ohio can benefit from the focus if the increased attention keeps pressure on the crime- sponsoring, hard-core trade that corrupts where it goes and enslaves where it sells. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart