U.S. drug czar in Tucson for meeting
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.23.2008
advertisementJohn Walters, the nation's "drug czar," will be in Tucson today meeting with community and law enforcement leaders to discuss the government's plan to combat illegal narcotics as well as substance abuse.
Walters is the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
He coordinates all aspects of federal dug control programs and spending.
He will discuss the Merida Initiative, which is a multi-year plan to combat illegal narcotics by providing equipment, training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies in Mexico and Central America, according to a news release.
Programs to prevent and treat substance abuse are also on the agenda, the release said.
The meeting is being hosted by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Leaders from law enforcement agencies across Southern Arizona are expected to attend, along with the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, the Pima County Attorney's Office and the Santa Cruz County Attorney's Office.
Mayors and elected officials will be at the meeting, as well as representatives from substance abuse treatment and prevention organizations.






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