DRUG TEST EDITORIAL

Putting Congress on the front lines of the drug war

CONGRESSIONAL Republicans are backing a plan to require random drug testing
of House members and their staffs: Four to six times per year, one quarter
of representatives and staffers would be required to urinate for a
drug-free America.

The House already has voted for random drug-testing -- if majority and
minority leaders go along. So far, Democratic leader Richard Gephardt has
blocked implementation, saying it's unnecessary.

Traditionally, alcohol is the drug of choice for Congress members, and
there's no evidence the Capitol has turned into a dope den.

But there's some merit in forcing national lawmakers to experience the loss
of privacy and liberties required to fight the drug war. For the full
effect, the new plan should include drug-sniffing dogs nuzzling briefcases,
confiscation of ``excess'' cash that might be the proceeds of illegal
transactions, no-knock raids on congressional hideaways, mandatory minimum
sentences to pressure ``little fish'' to implicate ``big fish'' and
undercover agents setting up ``buys'' of poppy-seed bagels.

But here's a better idea: Random IQ tests.