MAYOR'S DRUG IDEA TO GET NATIONAL FORUM

Palatine Mayor Rita L. Mullins has come up with an idea she considers a "no
brainer." Why shouldn't the government administer drug tests to inmates on
the verge of being released from jail?

Mullins said she would like to see federal legislation passed that requires
convicts being released from jail to take drug tests - through urine or
blood - on that day. If an inmate tests positive for things like marijuana
or cocaine, he or she would stay in custody until becoming clean and sober.

While State Sen. Wendell E. Jones, a Republican from Palatine, agrees
Mullins' idea is a good one, he says the solution isn't quite that simple.

"I agree with that, but prisons aren't built to be drug rehabilitation
centers," he said. "They are built to keep people locked up."

Mullins is presenting her plan this week in Washington, D.C., at the U.S.
Conference of Mayors meeting, which runs through Saturday.

She hopes to garner support for administering mandatory drug tests to those
being released from jail.

Mullins hopes convicts who serve time would be able to get drug-free
through counseling.

"I want to get this passed on a national level," Mullins said. "These
prisoners don't get treatment while they are there. But they are on drugs.
If they get out while on drugs, it wreaks havoc on our society."

While Mullins said she will bring the "no-brainer" issue up at the mayors
conference, she already has raised the issue with Jones.

Jones said Mullins' idea is good, but he also thinks more money should be
spent for drug treatment programs in general.

"Her idea is a fine idea," Jones said. "But the problem is much, much
bigger."