Source: Wire - Associated Press
Pubdate: Tue, 5 May 1998
Author: Darlene Superville

GINGRICH WANTS TO BEGIN TESTING STAFF FOR DRUGS

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Newt Gingrich plans to begin testing his 
staff for illegal drug use, his spokeswoman said Monday, and Gingrich 
said he already submits to the checks .

Spokeswoman Christina Martin said it was unclear when the staff checks 
would begin and whether employees based outside Washington would be 
involved. ``All of those details are under discussion,'' she said.

At a book-signing session in Bloomington, Minn., Gingrich told an 
Associated Press photographer that he submits to drug testing -- 
``It's part of my annual physical.'' He turned away, then turned back 
and added: ``By the way, I know the answer when they check.''

Members of Congress are free to test their own staffs, but Republican 
Reps. Joe Barton of Texas and Dan Burton of Indiana are the only ones 
who say they do so.

Barton, who said Gingrich's decision is a ``positive step,'' is a 
co-sponsor with retiring Rep. Gerald Solomon, R-N.Y., of a measure, to 
be introduced soon, that would require drug testing for all House 
members and their staffs.

``The key will be when members start testing themselves,'' Barton said 
through a spokeswoman. ``We need to test members of Congress. That's 
what the American people are waiting to see.''

The plan by Gingrich, R-Ga., was first reported by the Capitol Hill 
newspaper, Roll Call.

Gingrich has stepped up his criticism of the Clinton administration 
for alleged failures to address the illegal drug-use problem. At a GOP 
rally last week, he outlined a broad legislative agenda against drugs.

To that end, the House is expected to vote in the next few months on a 
range of bills, including to legislation to double the number of 
border patrol agents and link foreign aid to anti-drug efforts. Votes 
also are expected on increasing penalties for methamphetamine 
traffickers and money launderers and restrict loan eligibility for 
students convicted of drug possession.

The House also is scheduled to vote this week on a couple of anti-drug 
measures ``expressing the sense of the Congress'' that:

	--Marijuana is dangerous, addictive and unsuitable for medical use.

	--Schools should be free of drugs, and drug-fighting agencies at all 
	levels of government should work with schools and parents to fight 
	illegal drug use in the schools.