Pubdate: 17 June 1999 Source: Examiner, The (Ireland) Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 1999 Contact: http://www.examiner.ie/ DRUGS WAR MUST BE MAINTAINED Success in the Garda sting against drug dealers is to be applauded. As a result of extending Operation Clean Streets for the first time to areas outside Dublin, nearly 200 alleged pushers have been arrested. This follows a two-month undercover operation in which gardai bought drugs in towns and villages ranging from heroin to ecstasy, cannabis and amphetamines. Aimed at netting dealers who cause untold misery to their victims, the operation provides indisputable evidence that the drugs problem is not confined to Dublin. Designed to compliment the Criminal Assets Bureau's assault on major drug barons, there is a strong case for making the sting an everyday weapon in the Garda fight against the drugs scourge. If additional resources are required to strengthen manpower in anti-drug units, the Government should not hesitate to provide them. - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto