JUDGE WINS ONE ON DRUG TESTS

GNC empties shelves of product: 'Dietary supplements' purge person's system
before test

ST. CHARLES  A controversial product that helps mask the presence of
illegal drugs for those taking tests will be removed from the shelves of a
national health-food chain's Kane County stores, officials said Thursday.

St. Charles Police Chief Donald Shaw said the chain, General Nutrition
Center, which has several locations in the Fox Valley, has agreed to remove
products such as Quick Tabs and Liquid Clean from all its Kane County
stores.

Ron Hallock, GNC division vice president of sales, said the products do not
violate any law, but the company agreed to stop selling them in light of the
police department's concern.

Police officers conducted an undercover buy at the GNC in Charlestowne Mall
in November, following up on information from 16th Circuit Judge James
Doyle. The undercover buyer told the clerk her son needed a product to beat
a court-ordered drug test. The clerk showed the woman the products, which
were kept in a locked cabinet to prevent theft of the top-selling
merchandise.

The products are labeled as "dietary supplements" but are known to purge a
person's system. They reportedly can mask or hide evidence of cocaine,
heroin, alcohol or marijuana use in drug tests. According to the directions,
one supplement is taken along with 48 ounces of water an hour before a test
is given.

The packaging does not state the products can mask a drug test, but GNC
employees typically provided information on how to use the products for
tests, officials have said. The cost averages $30 to $40 per dose.

Doyle also bought the items at a Geneva store and enlisted the help of
probation officers to buy the products in Aurora and Batavia. As a founder
of Kane County's Drug Rehabilitation Court, Doyle was shocked the products
were available and sold to anyone wanting to beat a drug test.

Doyle sought to ban the sale of the products and contacted lawmakers to pass
a state law against them. He said he found it "morally reprehensible" for
GNC to sell the products. Doyle said his view on a ban was a "moral stand."

The judge was not available for comment Thursday, so it was unclear whether
he still intends to lobby legislators to pass a ban.

Shaw thanked GNC for "their openness and community-minded spirit of
cooperation on the matter."