Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jun 2003
Source: Post-Standard, The (NY)
Copyright: 2003, Syracuse Post-Standard
Contact:  http://www.syracuse.com/poststandard/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/686

DISTASTEFUL LABEL TELLS A HARD TRUTH

It's not the sort of thing you'd want plastered across billboards as you 
arrive in town: "Welcome to Syracuse: High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area."

But hey, if the shoe fits, and it comes stuffed with cash, try it on.

If plans materialize, Syracuse will join Albany, Rochester and Buffalo in 
this unwelcome but realistic category - which would cause from $1 million 
to $3 million in extra federal dollars to flow into each Upstate city. It's 
part of Washington's National Drug Control Policy, and Sen. Charles 
Schumer, D-N.Y., thinks the time has come to cash in. He's right.

Thus far, Los Angeles, Houston, South Florida and the New York/New Jersey 
metro area have qualified for this designation, along with a couple dozen 
other regions, many of them on the nation's borders. Schumer reasons that 
cities along the New York Thruway could use the extra drug-interdiction 
funds to combat trafficking that emanates from New York City and across the 
border in Canada. Right again. And he's persuaded law-enforcement officials 
and city leaders in Upstate's largest cities, which aim to use the money to 
improve their communication and coordination efforts.

To be sure, this is hardly an economic development tool. It would be grand 
if the feds decided there is so little drug-trafficking along this 
much-traveled corridor that no more funds are needed. When that day 
arrives, Syracuse will be only too glad to give up the money.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens