GINGRICH WANTS TO BEGIN TESTING STAFF FOR DRUGS

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Newt Gingrich plans to begin testing his
staff for illegal drug use, his spokeswoman said Monday, and Gingrich
said he already submits to the checks .

Spokeswoman Christina Martin said it was unclear when the staff checks
would begin and whether employees based outside Washington would be
involved. ``All of those details are under discussion,'' she said.

At a book-signing session in Bloomington, Minn., Gingrich told an
Associated Press photographer that he submits to drug testing --
``It's part of my annual physical.'' He turned away, then turned back
and added: ``By the way, I know the answer when they check.''

Members of Congress are free to test their own staffs, but Republican
Reps. Joe Barton of Texas and Dan Burton of Indiana are the only ones
who say they do so.

Barton, who said Gingrich's decision is a ``positive step,'' is a
co-sponsor with retiring Rep. Gerald Solomon, R-N.Y., of a measure, to
be introduced soon, that would require drug testing for all House
members and their staffs.

``The key will be when members start testing themselves,'' Barton said
through a spokeswoman. ``We need to test members of Congress. That's
what the American people are waiting to see.''

The plan by Gingrich, R-Ga., was first reported by the Capitol Hill
newspaper, Roll Call.

Gingrich has stepped up his criticism of the Clinton administration
for alleged failures to address the illegal drug-use problem. At a GOP
rally last week, he outlined a broad legislative agenda against drugs.

To that end, the House is expected to vote in the next few months on a
range of bills, including to legislation to double the number of
border patrol agents and link foreign aid to anti-drug efforts. Votes
also are expected on increasing penalties for methamphetamine
traffickers and money launderers and restrict loan eligibility for
students convicted of drug possession.

The House also is scheduled to vote this week on a couple of anti-drug
measures ``expressing the sense of the Congress'' that:

--Marijuana is dangerous, addictive and unsuitable for medical use.

--Schools should be free of drugs, and drug-fighting agencies at all
levels of government should work with schools and parents to fight
illegal drug use in the schools.