Pubdate: Tue, 05 Mar 2002
Source: Deseret News (UT)
Copyright: 2002 Deseret News Publishing Corp.
Contact:  http://www.desnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/124
Author: Lee Davidson

BURNS VOWS TO FIGHT DRUGS

WASHINGTON - Utahn Scott M. Burns vowed Tuesday to bring together 
state, local and federal officials nationally to fight drugs if he is 
confirmed as the deputy director for state and local affairs for the 
Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Burns, the four-term elected Iron County attorney, who ran 
unsuccessfully twice for Utah attorney general, told the Senate 
Judiciary Committee he has spent his career trying to build such 
partnerships, including forming the first narcotics task force in 
Utah.

"I have worked in the trenches. I hope to bring a message from the 
trenches, from state and local people, to you," he told senators 
during his confirmation hearing. "And I hope to take your message 
back to state and local government."

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, told the committee that Burns - even though 
he is from rural Cedar City - "is the most plugged-in guy I know," 
who has extensive contacts with law enforcement officials nationwide. 
He said he has often used them to help Utah.

Utah Commissioner of Public Safety Robert L. Flowers, who recently 
brought together state, local and federal agencies for Olympic 
security, said he based many of his actions on lessons learned from 
watching Burns earlier form that first narcotics task force in Utah. 
He said Burns is a master of bringing together competing agencies.

Burns said when southern Utah was losing a battle against drug labs 
and trafficking, he found "sheriffs who hated police chiefs, police 
chiefs who thought the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) should be in 
Washington and FBI agents who knew more than all of us."

He said once he and others figured out what agency needed - from a 
pat on the back to more credit in press releases - he tried to 
provide it, and they began to work together and win the war on drugs 
in southern Utah.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said that first task force in Utah became a 
model, "which has been repeatedly used to form other narcotics task 
forces around the state. Scott has proven that he can bring people 
together for a common cause."

Burns also said the war on drugs is serious and worth winning.

"I have observed the smuggling, distribution and illegal use of 
marijuana; the rise in popularity and consequent devastation of 
cocaine; the proliferation of methamphetamine laboratories . . . the 
latest craze of GHB, ecstasy and other so-called 'club drugs,' " he 
said.

Burns added that he has prosecuted crimes involving all of them and 
worked with officials at all levels nationwide to attack drugs.

"I will strive, humbly, to speak their language in bridging whatever 
gaps there may be on the national, state and local level," he said.

Burns faced no opposition during his hearing. Sen. Joseph Biden, D- 
Del., who chaired it, said that strong support from Hatch, Bennett 
and numerous officials nationwide seemed to ensure he will be 
confirmed.
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MAP posted-by: Josh