NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Drug-Fighting Plans of Guard Units OKd

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney has approved plans from 53 state and territorial governors to increase National Guard support in the fight against drugs, the Pentagon announced. The largest parts of the $70 million allotted went to border states, such as Texas with $10,936,000, California with $7,991,000, Florida with $6,037,000 and New York with $4,912,000. Although the Guard cannot take part in such activities as arrests and seizures, the Pentagon said the activities outlined in some of the plans include radar surveillance, air surveillance and photography, assistance in searching containers and transportation of law enforcement personnel, equipment and seized substances.