NEW DRUG-LAW BACKERS LOOKING TO TRY TV ADS IN FINAL PUSH FOR NOV. 5

COLUMBUS - Backers of Issue 1 are making inquiries about buying TV ad time
for a two-week blitz leading to the Nov. 5 election.

It was unclear last night when the ads would begin or how much money the
California-based Campaign for New Drug Policies would spend, said the
group' s political director, Dave Fratello. Backers said earlier this week
that there was about $1.5 million available.

If voters approve the constitutional amendment, treatment would be an
option for any nonviolent first or second-time drug possession offenders,
and the courting would start after passage of the measure.

The financial backers are New York financier George Soros; Ohio insurance
executive Peter Lewis; John Sperling, founder of the University of Phoenix,
and Richard Wolfe, a Columbus native who runs a California high-tech company.

On Oct. 14, leaders of the Campaign for New Drug Policies had presented a
"Plan B" if their deep-pocket donors decide that voters likely won't
approve Issue 1.

It was to form an independent campaign committee to pour big bucks into TV
ads to try to beat Gov. Bob Taft, who has trashed the ballot issue as "de
facto legalization" of drugs.

But on Oct. 16, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan said it would
be "pretty hypocritical" for him to criticize independent expenditure
campaigns and then let one battle Mr. Taft.

The group fighting Issue 1 plans to start airing TV ads in the middle of
next week, a spokeswoman said.