Pubdate: Wed, 28 May 2003 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 DRUG LAWS Melton Has A Point On 'Red Tape' Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics chief Frank Melton is understandably frustrated with "red tape" that prevents his agents from busting dangerous drug labs without first obtaining a search warrant, or running roadblocks for drugs. Melton told The Associated Press he would like state laws rewritten. He's right: there's too much red tape. It's a frustration shared among "the good guys" seeking to enforce our nation's laws. And it should be removed, wherever possible. But rewriting state law will not change protections afforded suspects who, under the U.S. Constitution, are deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Law enforcers must abide by the law, though law-breakers don't. If law enforcers break the law, they are outlaws, too. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom