Pubdate: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Larry Seguin EDUCATION IS COLLATERAL DAMAGE IN THE WAR ON DRUGS New York state solved the problem of where to get more funds for law enforcement in the drug war (Vancouver police require more money for drug fight, March 26). I quote from Friday's local paper, the Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News, about the school my kid attends (Lisbon Central): "Because of cuts to education funds we will drop drivers' ed and the marching band, and school athletes will have to cover uniforms and transportation themselves." This year alone, $600 million has been transferred from education to law enforcement. There will be cuts in every department of St. Lawrence County, where I live, except for the drug task force. A local tax increase is on the table - -- not for the schools, but for a new $40-million jail. Chasing cannabis is dumbing down our kids. Larry Seguin Lisbon, N.Y. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart