[StBernard] Cracking Down on Drugs

[Westley Annis]

Dear Friends - 

This past week we took a critical step towards cracking down on fake bath
salts that have infiltrated our communities and are putting lives at risk.
Indeed, we recently announced that a series of dangerous chemicals being
marketed as "bath salts" have been added to the Controlled Dangerous
Substance Act which means it's now illegal to possess, manufacture or
distribute them in our state. When these fake bath salts are smoked,
snorted, or injected, people are having extreme side effects including
hallucinations and delusions. This is a problem across the country, and
sadly, Louisiana is at the center of this epidemic - having reported nearly
60 percent of all calls nationwide regarding fake bath salt emergencies. 

That's why we took immediate action and, as the New Orleans Times-Picayune
<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=393%7c6433%7c9390&digest=4U
AKD2swr9fFsEn%2fuN2DqA&sysid=1>  reported, by making these drugs illegal we
have allowed "law enforcement officials to crack down on the drugs
immediately instead of having to wait for the next legislative session."
Make no mistake - we will continue do everything in our power to protect our
kids and stop folks from peddling these drugs in our communities. 

On the education front, we attended the annual meeting of the Louisiana
Association of Business and Industry yesterday and announced that we're
pursuing legislation to allow Louisiana businesses to partner with new
charter schools.  This new partnership will help feed the pipeline of
qualified workers for our companies while also creating good career
opportunities for our kids.  The Alexandria Town Talk
<http://cl.publicaster.com/ClickThru.aspx?pubids=393%7c6434%7c9390&digest=Ry
SwB1b%2bJ%2frkXIDipeDjOg&sysid=1>  called our proposal a "good idea" that
will improve the "disconnect between what students are learning and the
skills needed to enter available jobs" and it will also allow schools "to
access professionals who can assist students with career exploration,
provide job shadowing and internship opportunities, and even participate in
customized training programs." It's a win-win for our students and our
businesses. 

Finally, we also said this week that we are optimistic that the reductions
to our higher education system budget this coming fiscal year will be less
than ten percent - significantly less then originally reported. Indeed, by
focusing on creative solutions, we can help mitigate reductions to our
critical services like higher education and health care, while working to
implement reforms that will provide better services for our people and rely
less on taxpayer dollars. 

Sincerely, 
Governor Bobby Jindal