AL GORE'S SON PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES

Albert Gore III pleaded guilty to four drug-related charges in an
Orange County court on Monday, and opted to enter a drug rehab program
to avoid prison time.

Appearing with his lawyer before Judge Jacob H. Jager, Gore indicated
to the court that he would enter an intensive 90-day residential center.

"This is what anyone coming off the street would be eligible for,"
said Orange County District Attorney spokeswoman Susan Kang-Schroeder.
"Gore didn't get any more or any less than anyone else."

Gore was carrying 140 pills of Vicodin, along with "dozens" of other
medications when he was pulled over on July 4 in Southern Calif. while
speeding in a Toyota Prius.

Deputies searched his car after they detected the smell of marijuana,
and found prescription drugs including Xanax, Valium, Soma, Vicodin
and Adderall, as well as a small amount of marijuana.

The former vice president's son has a history of encounters with the
law.

In August 2000, he was ticketed for going 97 mph in a 55-mph zone in
North Carolina, and had his driving privileges suspended.

Two years later, he was cited for DUI in Virginia. He eventually
pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year's probation.

And in December 2003, Gore was arrested for marijuana possession in
Maryland after he was pulled over for driving with his headlights off.
He was sentenced to drug counseling in that case.

A Gore family spokeswoman had no comment.