GORE PROPOSES DRUG TESTING FOR CONVICTS

ATLANTA -- Al Gore proposed drug-test requirements for prisoners and
parolees yesterday with better drug treatment -- but also more jail time --
for those who fail. He accused George W. Bush of slashing such programs in
Texas and pushing criminals though "the same old revolving door."

"We need to get more police, not fewer," the vice president said,
portraying himself as the stronger candidate on law enforcement, an area in
which polls show him trailing his Republican rival. "We need to get tougher
with repeat offenders, not just put them back on the streets."

Aides to the Texas governor responded that the Democratic Clinton-Gore
administration has cut rehabilitation programs for federal prisoners. And
Texas Department of Criminal Justice figures show prison substance abuse
spending actually increased by 53 percent to $99.9 million under Bush.

Spokesman Dan Bartlett said Gore should explain "why during his term teen
drug use in America nearly doubled, the number of drug treatment beds in
federal prisons was cut by over one-third, the Office of National Drug
Control Policy was cut by 83 percent and federal gun prosecutions have
decreased by 46 percent."

With rhetoric that was both tough and compassionate,

Gore outlined a $1.3 billion, 10-year anti-crime program to an audience of
police officials. Many of the measures were unveiled nearly a year ago.

In a new touch, he proposed spending $500,000 in the first year to create a
matching grant program for states and local communities to help test and
treat probationers, prisoners and parolees.

Inmates who fail would be subject to more jail time. Probationers and
parolees would be tested twice a week and could be returned to prison if
they failed to stay away from drugs.

Gore would require former inmates to sign responsibility contracts in which
they also would agree to increased supervision by law-enforcement officials
and payment of child support when relevant. In return, the former convicts
would get help in finding jobs.