WHITNEY HOUSTON'S DRUG CHARGE DISMISSED

She Completed The Required Payments And Drug Evaluation

KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii -- A marijuana charge against singer and actress Whitney
Houston has been dismissed, leaving her with a clean record on the Big Island.

A petty misdemeanor marijuana possession charge was dismissed Monday by
District Judge Joseph Florendo after a substance abuse assessment was
submitted on her behalf, said Deputy Prosecutor Melvin Fujino.

The assessment, done by Michael Burke, a New Jersey certified substance
abuse counselor, said there is no need for Houston to undergo drug abuse
treatment, Fujino said.

The assessment was the last of several requirements imposed on Houston for
her no-contest plea to the possession charge to be dismissed.

The charge against the entertainer arose because a handbag belonging to her
was found with about half an ounce of marijuana when she was boarding a
plane at the Kona airport on Jan. 11, 2000. Houston left on the plane
without the handbag but was later charged.

At her sentencing in November, Houston was ordered to pay $4,025 in
contributions, fees and donations. Those were paid, but the drug assessment
was delayed, leading Fujino to file a motion to throw out the deferred no
contest plea and have Houston resentenced.

That motion is still on the court calendar for tomorrow but is now moot
since the charge against Houston is dismissed, Fujino said.