Addicts And Alcoholics

They've been unlikely allies fighting the Schaefer administration's budget cuts -- uniformed state police and an eclectic band of drug addicts and alcoholics.For a few days last week, they stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the State House in Annapolis, hoping to catch the conscience of legislators.While the troopers' plight -- layoffs, barracks closings and reduced Med-Evac helicopter service -- has caught the public's attention, many officials say the massive cuts to drug- and alcohol-treatment programs pose the greater threat to public safety.

The red, gold, green and black jewelry that hangs from Ysuff Caruth's booth at Mondawmin Mall is not just his livelihood, nor is it designed to simply complement a high school student's slick attire.To him the trinkets are proud expressions of his African-American heritage, and on the top of his political agenda is the need to spread that pride to Baltimore's African-American youth."Many kids come in here during the day," said Mr. Caruth, 45, as customers began to trickle into the West Baltimore mall, just after 10 a.m. on a recent Thursday.