DOLE PROMISES ANTI-DRUG CRUSADE IF ELECTED PRESIDENT

PASADENA, Calif. -- Days after George W. Bush's campaign crisis over
questions about possible illegal drug use, GOP rival Elizabeth Dole
promised yesterday to "lead a crusade" against illegal drugs if elected
president.

Dole told the National Foundation for Women Legislators' annual convention
that as president she would push a campaign "that's comprehensive and fully
funded where drugs are concerned."

"With leadership and the use of that bully pulpit, I think we can have a
crusade across this country to remove and rid America of illegal drugs that
are poisoning our children today," she said.

Dole later denied the announcement was related to Bush's crisis this past
week over whether he ever had used illegal drugs. She said she has pushed
the issue since leaving her post as head of the American Red Cross.

Questioned repeatedly about possible drug use, Bush, the GOP front-runner,
said he had not used illegal drugs in the past 25 years, but would not
elaborate.

On other issues, Dole told the group of bipartisan women leaders that she
was encouraged by her "close to No. 2" finish in the Aug. 14 straw poll in
Iowa. She finished third behind magazine publisher Steve Forbes. Bush won
the contest.

Dole also said her 30 years of management experience -- with the federal
transportation and labor departments, then at the American Red Cross --
adequately prepared her for the job of leading the country.