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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 23, 1997)
News Wednesday 'July23, Drug dealers marketing to younger, more affluent users Researchers said cocaine is the No. 1 illegal drug used in Texas AUSTIN (AP) — Drug dealers are moving to the suburbs, targeting sales to more afflu ent buyers with more purchasing power, ac cording to a report released Tuesday. lames Hall, executive director of Mia mi’s Up Front Drug Information Center and Jane Maxwell of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, released the report on drug trafficking and use at a con ference sponsored by the Texas Commis sion on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The report considered drug treatment, drug-related arrests and other information from the first quarter of 1983 to the first quarter of 1997. Hall said the most disturbing trend is that lessons learned by older generations, like the dangers of LSD, cocaine and hero in, have been lost on younger Americans. “Drug prevention and education is not a one-time fix,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press. The researchers said GHB, Gamma-Hy droxy Butyrate, is growing. The depressant, used in combination with alcohol, gives a strong high and sedative effect. It is rela tively inexpensive and easy to produce — and equally easy to botch, Hall said. Few statistics are available about the drug because of its recent appearance. Federal drug officials say the sale of ingre dients to make GHB continue to rise, ac cording to the report. “It’s been associated in date rape and the club scene,” Hall added. The drug goes by the street names of “Grievous Bodily Harm,” “Georgia Home- boy,” “Liquid XTC” and “Fantasy.” It is sim ilar to Rohypnol, which is known as the date-rape drug. The researchers said cocaine remains the No. 1 illegal drug used in Texas. The use of heroin, marijuana and methampheta- mines also continued to rise. The report cites cocaine-related admis sions to publicly funded treatment centers at 35 percent foj‘ 1996. It did not have 1997 figures and TCADA could not immediately provide numbers. Heroin admissions to publicly funded treatment centers represented 14 percent of all admissions in the first three months this year. Marijuana use represented 8 per cent of adult admissions in 1996 and 70 percent for juveniles in 1997. Maxwell said younger generations must be taught the dangers of cocaine and oth er drugs that are regained popularity. She said older generations were taught about dangers of the drugs in school, by public service announcements and other sources, including experience. She said such information has decreased. State military bases m: construction fundsl WASHINGTON (AP) — Military bases in Texas would gain more than $135 million in construction funds under separate ap propriations bills passed by the House and Senate. The military construction appropria tions bill adopted Tuesday by the Senate includes more than $135 million for Texas defense installations. The House bill, which passed last week, includes $161 mil lion for the state’s bases. Differences be tween the two spending bills will be ironed out later by House and Senate negotiators. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a member of the Appropriations Committee, praised the $9.2 billion spending package crafted by her panel. “Now that the question of another round of base closings has been put to rest for the immediate future, it is time to con centrate on keeping our bases strong and building on their potential,” the Texas Re publican said Tuesday. It’s likely that the fundingreqi most of the Texas bases will stickti they are similar in both chamben I lutchison spokesman said his bos work to ensure funds earmarked House but not by the Senate would eluded in the final package. The funding requests endoc both the House end senate induct million for Fort Hood near Kills eluding $12.8 million forconstra a Force XXI Development Cente Force XXI, the Army is exploring!)! advanced computer and techno abilities to battlefield troops. Fon also would receive $18.8 million grade family housing units. “The development center tn* establish Fort Hood as the post tSctics and technology will bedevt for the 21st century Army," said Ret Edwards, D-Waco, when he anno the funding. Space station survives annual Senate fight WASHINGTON (AP) — The space station survived yet another effort by a dogged Senate foe to pull the plug on funding for the huge NASA program. By a 69-31 vote Tuesday, the Senate rebuffed an at tempt by Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark., to strike the $2.1 billion earmarked next year for the space station and leave NASA $600 million in termination costs. The appropriations bill funding veterans, housing, space and other programs later passed the Senate on a 99-1 vote. In his annual raid on the station, Bumpers said Con gress can ill justify the hugely costly program, which the General Accounting Office has pegged at $94 billion over its lifetime. Recently, GAO reported new cost overruns. “The truth of the matter is this program is heading head-long out of control,” Bumpers said. “There are very few people in this body that don’t know that, that don’t understand that.” NASA estimates far lower costs for the international project, which is under development mainly at the John son Space Center near Houston. The space agency esti mates it will cost $17.4 billion to design and build the sta tion and another $13 billion to operate it over a decade. Last week, House supporters of the station rejected a proposal that would have siphoned $100 million ear marked for the troubled U.S.-Russian space partnership. The space station, which Bumpers said offers little in the way of scientific achievement, is robbing need ed funds from medical science and other worthy fed eral programs that are underfunded, he charged. Advocates countered that the space station holds the promise of important medical and scientific breakthroughs. “The space station is not a luxury any more than a medical research center at Baylor College of Medicine is a luxury,” said Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio, the first American to orbit the earth 35 years ago. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., called the station a “dazzling scientific endeavor.” Failure to proceed with the international venture when the space station is nearing its assembly in space would be a waste of money, backers said. “We are now within a year of the first launch,” said Sen. Christopher Bond, R-Mo. “This is not the time to abort the mission.” GAO auditors reported to Congress last month that construction delays have resulted in $291 million in cost overruns. Wednesday, July 23 CAmpus Calendar Regents Continued from Page 1 The Board also will delegate au thority to A&M to hold public hear ings in accordance with Senate Bill 1997, which requires that state tu ition and the former general use fee (GUF) be combined into a single tu ition amount. The bill also states that a university may not raise the former GUF higher than state tuition. Upon the Board’s approval, a hearing to explain this law will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Aug. 1, in Room 292 of the MSC. Bowen said Dr. William Krumm, the vice president for finance and controller, will explain that even though the Legislature changed the name of the “general use fee” to “tu ition,” the money will be used as it was before. Bowen said that $12 of the for mer GUF is designated for mainte nance of buildings, and the re maining $22 is used for staff and faculty salaries. Tom Taylor, assistant vice presi dent for finance, said the University will bill state tuition as “Statutory Au thorized Tuition” and the former GUF as “University Authorized Tuition.” Tony Heger, manager of the fa cilities administration division of fa cilities planning and construction, said regents will not vote on the pre liminary plans for West Campus Parking Garage at this meeting. However, he said the garage’s de sign will be discussed. Heger said the parking garage project will be combined with plans for a Wellborn underpass. He said facilities planning will study the fea sibility of an underpass before the Board can approve a detailed de sign of and bids on the garage and underpass. Jim Ashlock, director of Univer sity Relations, said that because the West Campus Parking Garage and underpass is such as big project, fa cilities planning wants to make sure the design they have is the best be fore they commit to any one design. The Writing Center (Dept, of English, Texas A&M): The Writing Center in 249 Blocker will consult with any TAMU student who needs help with his or her writing projects for Summer II. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Come by or call 862- 4181 for more information. Aggie Roadrunners: There will be a daily run of 2-3 miles beginning at 7 p.m. in front of G. Rollie White. Run ners of all levels are encouraged to attend. For more information call Hank Bullinger at 821-6339. Texas A&M Women’s Rugby: There will be practice from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the TAMU Rugby Field. No experi ence is necessary. For more infor mation contact Wendy at 696-9012. TAMU Veterans’ Association: There will be a social gathering for Aggie Veterans at Hornbacks’ at 7:30 p.m. For further information contact Todd Milburn at 775-4657. Thursday, July 24 The Writing Center (Dept, of English, Texas A&M): The Writing Center in 249 Blocker will consult with any TAMU student who needs help with his or her writing projects for Summer II. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Come by or call 862- 4181 for more information. Aggie Roadrunners: There will be a daily run of 2-3 miles beginning at 7 p.m. in front of G. Rollie White. Run ners of all levels are encouraged to attend. For more information call Hank Bullinger at 821-6339. Texas A&M Women's Rugby: There will be practice from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the TAMU Rugby Field. No experi ence is necessary. For more informa tion contact Wendy at 696-9012. Friday, July 25 A&M Bahai Club: The A&M Bahai Club is having a speaker followed by dinner on July 25, at 6:30 p.m. at 1304 Merry Oak in College Station. The speaker will be Vhaid Hedayati speaking on unity throughout the world between men and women and all the races. For more information call Kriti Buohe at 764-3160. Sunday, July 27 TAMU Chess Club: The TAMU Chess Club will be playing chess in 308 Rud der from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more in formation contact Scott Griggs at 696- 3879 or griggs@myriad.net. Monday, July 28 Aggie Roadrunners: There will be a daily run of 2-3 miles beginning t'lvl )0Sl! area I at 7 p.m. in front of G. White. Runners of all levels couraged to attend. Form formation call Hank Bui 821-6339. Texas A&M Women's There will be practice from to 8 p.m. at the TAMU Rugl No experience is necessr more information contact! 696-9012. Tuesday, July 29 TAMU Waterski Team: a general meeting at 8:30 Fitzwilly’s. For more informats’ len( ]| Mike Coyle at 268-2076. u.S. Aggie Roadrunners: There# a daily run of 2-3 milesbef at 7 p.m. in front of White. Runners of all encouraged to attend.For information call HankBvIlif 821-6339. Campus Calendar is a B vice that lists non-profit faculty events and activities. I# should be submitted no three days in advance of thedesi run date. Application deadlines notices are not events andwil* 1 run in Campus Calendar, any questions, please call then room at 845-3313. I e si Weather Outlook jom| AM forn terw with! said. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Economy Continued from Page 1 Most analysts said they still expect the central bank to raise rates later this year. However, based on Greenspan’s words, they said that could be delayed un til possibly November. The Fed boosted its federal funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other, a quarter point to 5.5 per cent in March. But Fed policy-makers passed up chances to raise rates further at their May and July meetings. The next rate-setting session will be Aug. 19. “Greenspan showed no urgency whatsoever about any near-term policy change,” said David Jones, chief econo mist at Aubrey G. I^anston & Co. in New York. “I think he is perfectly satisfied with the economy at the present time.” Greenspan said the economy’s surprisingly strong showing this year had caused the central bank to boost slightly its forecast for economic growth to around 3.25 percent for the year. At the same time, the Fed lowered its forecast for consumer inflation to around 2.5 per cent, even lower than last year. “The recent performance of the economy, charac terized by strong growth and low inflation, has been ex ceptional — and better than most anticipated,” Greenspan told a House Banking subcommittee. Missing from Greenspan’s report to Congress was any concern about the record-setting stock market. Last De cember, Greenspan’s worries about possible “irrational ex uberance” had sent financial markets trunbling worldwide. Analysts said Greenspan may be less concerned now about the market being overvalued based on strong corporate earnings reports for the second quarter. Greenspan did warn that the good news on inflation is not likely to last forever given the fact that unemploy ment has fallen to near a 25-year low and the current eco nomic expansion is already the third longest in history. And he said the Fed stood ready to move pre-emptively to make sure inflation does not get out of control. Greenspan likened the Fed’s policy stance to a cau tious motorist. “A driver might tap the brakes to make sure not to be hit by a truck coming down the street, even if he thinks the chances of such an event are relatively low. The costs of being wrong are simply too high,” Greenspan said. Partly Cloudy High: 103° Low: 75° ' i ’ Partly Cloudy \ High: 98 ,Jm J Low: 75 Thunderstorms High: 95° Low: 76° Sk®teh By Quati P W i D E A U X I GO WHERE my &IG WHEEL GOES X t?ON'T HANG WIT' THE SCHMOES... eC" A LIMERICK (OF SORTS) ...AND IF THEY ARE TERSE, OR THEIR LANGUAGE PERYERSE.. WHAT'S THE RUSH, TIGER? WHAT A * $7*!! j...L SIMPLY ROLL O'i THEIR toes! cccRvncH- tTHUPPi ^ THUMP-1 ickedl nihil ant) ofthj The they Jirar Nebl ayerl Fall/Spring Internships WITH Northwestern Mutual Life® The Quite Company http:/www.NorthwesternMulual.e • Fortune’s “Most Admired” Company • "America’s Top Internships” - one of I997’s top ten intership programs ■ “Jobs 96” -Insurance sales compensation averaged $50,000 per year, increasing to $70,000 after 10 years. In fact, 20% of all insurance sales agents earned over $100,000 in 1996 Full-Time Positions for ‘97 graduates Austin/College Station (512) 327-3868 San Antonio (210) 490-3133 Houston (281) 583-4330 Kaplan students get into Law School. Case closed. 9 out of 10 Kaplan LSAT students go to one of their top 3 school choices. -1997 Bruskin-Goldring Research Study of students at the top 50 law schools. expert teachers superior materials smart technology proven results The Battalion Classified Advertising • Easy* Affordable • Effective For information, call 845-0569 4 !f ! % 1 -800-KAP-TEST www.kaplan.com 'LSAT is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council. LIVE MUSIC - $4 A HEAD (Free admission if you’re headless.) Harvest Concert #1 at Messina Hof Saturday Night at 8 It’s outside. It’s fun. It’s cheap. 7/26: Superband Wasteband. (covers from the 60s, 70s & 80s) No reservations needed, just show up. Bring your head, not your cooler. Call (409) 778-9463 for more info. Stew Milne, Helen Clancy, Managing Editor John LeBas, City Editor April Towery, Lifestyles Editor Kristina Buffin, Sports Editor James Francis, Opinion Editor Editor in Chief Jody Holley, Night News E# Tim Moog, Photo Editor Brad Graeber, Graphics Edi Joey Schlueter, Radio Editor David Friesenhahn, Web Edit News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University Division of Student Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism. News offices are in 1 Reed McDonald Building. Newsroom phone: 845-3313; Fax: 845-2647; W Batt@tamvml.tamu.edu; Website: http://bat-web.tamu.edu Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement!)) Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified 8 * tising, call 845-0569. Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald, and office hoursare8 ; to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick 1 ' single copy of The Battalion. Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school ye 8f: $50 per full year. To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call 845-261) The Battalion (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall‘ c semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Second class postage paid at College St^t^ |,,, 77840. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Battalion, 015 Reed McDonald Buildi#’' A&M University, College Station, 7Y 77843-1111.