FUNDING THE DRUG WAR

Emergency funding for Colombia's anti-drug effort is stalled in the
Senate.

Politics should not be allowed to interfere with national
security.

Colombia supplies 80 percent of the cocaine for the U.S. market.
Everyone from leftist rebels to right-wing paramilitary forces is
involved in the trade. While Colombia's government hasn't always been
cooperative, it now appears to be making a serious effort to combat
the scourge. And Washington has pledged commensurate support.

Given the gravity of the situation, the Clinton administration assumed
a $1.3 billion supplemental appropriation would be approved, but it
hasn't. As a result, a Columbian army anti-drug battalion, trained at
American expense, has yet to take to the field because the helicopters
that were to serve as transport have yet to arrive.

A dollar spent on attacking drugs at the source is more cost effective
than funding for education and treatment (which are also necessary).
Congress should get with the program.