Just last week. the illegal drug trade in Washington was compared by the media to that of Miami and New York. Unfortunately. Yakima Valley has become a major west coast distribution point for illegal drugs crossing our United States border from Mexico. Our national drug czar was astounded to learn on his visit to Yakima that drug dealers have created a pipeline to smuggle illegal drugs along longestablished migrant farm labor routes extending deep inside Mexico. The Yakima Valley. once quiet orchard country. is now on the front lines of our Nations drug war. The drug epidemic has heavily burdened Yakima County. which -has one of the lowest average per capita Incomes in Washington State.