CLINTON TO REQUEST FUNDING FOR PRISON ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM

President Clinton said Tuesday that he will propose $215 million in his next
budget to test and treat inmates for drug use,to help them avoid returning
to crime once they are freed.

Clinton cited a Justice Department report that seven of every 10 federal
prisoners had used drugs before their arrests, and one-fifth were on drugs
when they committed the crimes that sent them to prison.

Clinton's proposal sets aside $100 million in the fiscal 2000 budget for
treatment and testing of offenders in prison as well as those on probation
or parole. It also includes $50 million for creating more local drug courts
and $65 million for residential drug treatment in state prisons.

Clinton also announced the release of $120 million under the fiscal 1999
budget for drugfree-prison initiatives - $63 million earmarked for state
prisons to provide tong-term treatment and intensive supervision for
prisoners with the most serious drug problems.