Pubdate: Sat, 28 Sep 2002
Source: Post-Star, The (NY)
Copyright: 2002 Glens Falls Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.poststar.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1068
Section: B, Local - Region
Page: B1, top, with photo, jumps to top of Page B6 with headline "Drugs 
from NYC a Problem"
Author: Jason McCord, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?194 (Hutchinson, Asa)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

TOP DRUG ENFORCER VISITS

DEA Chief: Terror War Not Overshadowing Drug War

MECHANICVILLE -- Local prosecutors and police told the country's top drug 
enforcement official Friday that the federal government can't forget about 
the war on drugs while it focuses on protecting the country from terrorists.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Director Asa Hutchinson, who was in the area 
to speak to local officials, reassured them that he agrees that the fight 
against illegal drugs needs to remain a priority.

"What concerns parents the most is not terrorists, but drug peddlers trying 
to sell drugs to their children," Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson spoke with dozens of police and prosecutors from throughout the 
region Friday afternoon at the Elks Lodge in Mechanicville. The meeting, 
which was held behind closed doors, lasted more than an hour.

The event was arranged by U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, who said 
during a press conference that he wanted Hutchinson to hear directly from 
local law agencies about their concerns about drug trafficking.

Hutchinson called the meeting "very productive," stating he has several 
good points to take back to Washington.

Responding to comments about homeland security, Hutchinson said the added 
responsibility has stretched the federal government's resources.

But he said there is still a strong focus on the war on drugs and that the 
added security at the nation's borders and airports has actually resulted 
in decreased drug trafficking.

Hutchinson said he also agrees strongly with local law enforcement that 
increased communication is essential to stopping the flow of drugs.  He 
urged local officials to take advantage of a task force the DEA has in 
Albany to dismantle local drug trafficking.

Hutchinson said a specific target in the area is the flow of drugs heading 
north from the New York City area. That has become an enormous problem, 
Hutchinson said, because drug dealers have learned they can make more money 
selling drugs upstate.

That was one of the major concerns expressed by Warren County District 
Attorney Kate Hogan. She said a $10 rock of crack cocaine in New York City 
can be sold locally by a drug dealer for $50.

Hogan said she appreciated the feedback from Hutchinson.

"It's always satisfying when the head of the DEA listens to your concerns," 
Hogan said. Hogan said she also asked Hutchinson to write a letter of 
support to maximize resources between the region and Brooklyn, where a lot 
of local drug cases originate.

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy III agreed that increased 
communication is needed.

While drug dealers aren't restricted by different regions, Murphy said law 
enforcement agencies often run into obstacles fight when combating drug 
traffic across different counties or states.

Murphy said he was also pleased to learn about "significant resources" 
available to local law enforcement, like a mobile response van with 
surveillance equipment.

With all the talk about improving communication, Hutchinson stressed that 
the community must also play a major role in the fight against drugs. He 
applauded Saratoga County's drug tip line that allows residents to call 
police with tips about drug trafficking. "Everyone in the community needs 
to ask what they can do," Hutchinson said.

[COLOR PHOTO, 2 COLUMN AT TOP OF ARTICLE, PAGE B1]

[PHOTO CAPTION]

U.S. Rep. John Sweeney, left, and Asa Hutchinson, director of the U.S. Drug 
Enforcement Agency, speak at a press conference Friday in Mechanicville.
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