Hand over the drug money….

An article published Wednesday, February 23,2011, from the Editorial Board of the Austin American Statesman entitled “Turn drug money into tool used against cartels”, suggested using the money confiscated from any illegal drug trade be used towards providing more safety for the U.S. citizens.   The article stated that Senator Steve Ogden proposed, while during a hearing on financing public safety, that confiscated drug money be put to use in a more effective way.  Forwarding such money to pay for additional border security checkpoints and/or paying for additional federal authorities seems like it could be an exceptional plan. 
According to the editorial, an estimated twenty-eight billion a year cash flow crosses the United States border into Mexico every year, in which two-thirds passes through Texas alone.  The article also noted that Steve McCraw, director of the Department of Public Safety, stated around 140 million dollars had been seized since the year 2006 in drug money.

Based on the information provided with this editorial, I’d have to say that I strongly agree with the ideas presented for the use of any money seized.  The article focuses its attention towards the public and it making an important financial decision.  Why not indeed use their own money against them?  No telling how many lives of citizens around our borders are put into harms way on a daily basis just for these drug trafficking organizers to make their living.  The idea of  turning this drug money around and using it for something positive, perhaps like the idea of saving lives, should definitely be taken into high consideration.

The Women's Health Program

The Texas Medicaid Women's Program is designed to help women with low income.  Each woman is provided with one family planning exam each year, family planning counseling and education, as well as a form of birth control for those planning abstinence.  Texas Senator Kirk Watson and Texas State Representative Mark Strama are both on board with a renewal of this program.  As it is set to expire this year, both filed the Prevention Works Act.  In 2008, the program saved Texas $21.4 million dollars in general revenue.  According to Kirk Watson, a year's worth of family planning services costs a single woman $203 dollars and birth costs $9,012 dollars paid via Medicaid. 

This article suggests that the renewal of this program would have highly beneficial outcome.  I absolutely agree.  I believe our schools definitely need a push for further sex education that involves the parents.   The health program offers women with education regarding family planning and the Prevention Works Act proposes further education within our schools.  With that said, I completely agree with Kirk Watson's statement.

"The surest way to prevent termination of an unwanted pregnancy is to prevent an unwanted pregnancy".---Sen. Kirk Watson

The Austin American Statesman