Pubdate: Sat, 21 Aug 1999 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 1999 Associated Press Author: Chelsea J. Carter, Associated Press Writer ELIZABETH DOLE SLAMS DRUG POLICY, MUM ON ALLEGED DRUG USE BY OPPONENT IRVINE, Calif. (AP) -- Buoyant after a strong showing in last week's Iowa Straw Poll, Republican presidential candidate Elizabeth Dole took aim Thursday at what she called President Clinton's failed drug policy. "I think it's time we make very clear that there are certain things worth fighting for. ... I think it's wrong when we continue to coddle countries that are the gateway to drugs," she told about 50 supporters, mostly women, attending an Orange County fund-raiser. Although she had strong words for Clinton about drugs, she refused to comment on allegations that the GOP's top presidential contender, George W. Bush, used illegal drugs. "I think he has to speak for himself," she said in a news conference after the event. "I am really not going to be drawn into commenting on other candidates, because I want to run a positive campaign and focus on Elizabeth Dole's credentials." But Mrs. Dole did say media investigations into a candidate's personal life were pushing people away from considering public office. "I think there are a lot of people ... who just feel they don't want to put themselves or their family through that," she said. "People really are being turned off, and a lot of people in America are not willing to subject their families to it." Mrs. Dole finished third in the straw poll behind Bush and millionaire Steve Forbes, respectively. The Orange County fund-raiser, one of 46 such events in the next month, was expected to raise about $25,000 for the campaign, much needed contributions in her campaign to win the nomination against two well-financed opponents. During the 30-minute speech to supporters, Mrs. Dole singled out Mexico in the war on drugs, saying the country had failed to stem the flow of drugs. She said 60 percent of the drugs in the United States came from Mexico. "There are a whole array of tools that can be used," Mrs. Dole said. "I think working with the leaders -- leader to leader -- can be useful. But you also have a whole arsenal of tools that can be used." But when pressed for details about her proposed policy, she said she did not yet have one available. "I don't think most people expect you to have all the details of what you would do with Mexico when you're not even president at this point. At the appropriate time, you make the decision," she said. But Mrs. Dole also said she was one of the only candidates to come out with specifics on many of her proposals, including a 10-point plan for the country's agriculture industry and a strong stance about U.S. involvement in Kosovo. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D