Valley lawmakers appointed to border drug task force

The Brownsville Herald - Online Edition: "At least three Rio Grande Valley lawmakers will be part of a team assigned to study the role drugs play in the lives of youth on the border.

Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, appointed five members of the House to serve on the Binational Alcohol and Substance Abuse Task Force.

The task force was created by the Legislature this year. It will study the effects of substance abuse on 14- 24-year-olds, their role transporting drugs for traffickers and binge drinking in people of all ages.

Rep. Aaron Pe�a, D-Edinburg; Rep. Veronica Gonzales, D-McAllen; and Rep. Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, will sit on the task force.

Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, will chair the task force, and Rep. Tracy King, D-Batesville, will also be a member.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst will appoint five senators to join them.

“Alcohol and substance abuse are issues that Texas youths and their families face on a daily basis,” Craddick said. “I am confident the Binational Task Force will come up with creative recommendations to help alleviate these problems in our border region.”"

I think very little of Craddick, but I'm glad to see these Dems included.