* SENATE VOTES TO ACCEPT MEXICO AS AN ALLY IN DRUG WAR

After intense negotiations with the White House, the Senate voted
yesterday to accept President Clinton's designation of
Mexico as a U.S. ally in efforts to combat illegal drugs.
[SEATTLE POSTINTELLIGENCER, PAY PER VIEW, 588 words,
$1.00]

ATTEMPTED MARIJUANA SALE ALMOST ENDS IN DROWNING OF FORMER KENT MAN

A 24yearold former Kent resident thought he was going to get a pile
of money for selling 30 pounds of marijuana this week to two
young men he knew from their days at Kentridge High School a
few years ago. [SEATTLE POSTINTELLIGENCER, PAY PER VIEW, 450
words, $1.00]

COCAINE POISONING KILLS SUSPECT ARRESTED AND JAILED IN OAKLAND

Two men being hauled off to Oakland city jail on outstanding warrants
apparently gulped rocks of cocaine to avoid getting into worse
trouble with the law fatally poisoning one and seriously
injuring the other, police said yesterday. [SAN FRANCISCO
CHRONICLE, PAY PER VIEW, 247 words, $1.00]

UN/ United Nations Drug Commission preparing for 'major milestone'
in tackling world's drug problem

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the United Nations intergovernmental
body which sets drug control policy for the world, is meeting
in Vienna for its regular annual session and to launch
preparations for a special 1998 session of the General Assembly
that is expected ... [M2 PRESSWIRE, PREMIUM, 391 words]

UN/ United Nations Drug Commission weighing measures for stemming
worldwide flood of 'ecstasy' and 'speed'

One of the most challenging problems facing delegates to the
Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which is meeting here through 27
March, is how to combat the alarming spread of abuse of
amphetaminetype stimulants such as "ecstasy" and "speed". [M2
PRESSWIRE, PREMIUM, 405 words]

Huge haul from police bust of remote marijuana plantation

A squad of 120 armed police has busted what officers call the biggest
marijuana plantation in New Zealand, arresting 10 armed men and
finding hundreds of pounds of the drug in a remote area.
[Associated Press, PREMIUM, 270 words]

Some 200 kg of Heroin Seized in Guangxi, Yunnan

Frontier troops in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and
southwestern Yunnan Province seized 218 kg of heroin and more
than 30 kg of opium from January to March 17 this year.
[XINHUA, BASIC, 126 words]

Six tons of cocaine, marijuana seized in Caribbean

U.S., Haitian and Puerto Rican agents seized more than six tons of
cocaine and marijuana and arrested eight suspected smugglers in
Caribbean waters during the past five days, the U.S. Coast
Guard said on Monday. [Reuters, PAY PER VIEW, 260 words, $1.00]

Police seize cocaine, marijuana in Chiba

TOKYO, March 24 _ Police authorities have seized 19.3 kilograms of
cocaine and 20.8 kg of marijuana in Chiba, arresting three
people in connection with the case, police said Monday. [Kyodo,
PREMIUM, 233 words]

NY Drug War Results Questioned

Outside the Great Wok, a spindly man in bright yellow sweatpants looks
both ways before pushing his hand down a fistsized hole in the
sidewalk. A few seconds later, he shuffles away. [Associated
Press, PREMIUM, 562 words]