DRUG LAB EXPECTED ON SCHEDULE

AIKEN - Aiken County officials gave the sheriff's office assurances last
week that they will help get a mandated drug lab built by deadline. The
county has to work fast, though. With prisoners still in the Aiken County
Detention Center - the only place where the state will allow the lab to be
housed - planners have until Sept. 30 to get the lab built and operating.

John Rowley, the jail director, said the inmate transfer to a new detention
center will be completed by the end of this month.

"I'd be surprised if by July 1 anyone is in there," he said.

That would give the county three months to complete major structural
changes to the old jail to accommodate the lab's fume hoods and other
unique needs.

If it doesn't meet the deadline, the county could have to return $170,000
in federal funds already spent on staffing and equipping the drug lab.

The State Law Enforcement Division is phasing out its drug lab, which
counties throughout the state have relied on. Aiken County's lab is to
serve five counties - Aiken, Edgefield, Barnwell, Bamberg and Saluda.

Ultimately, the state cost-saving measure will speed up the justice
process, said Chief Deputy Jody Rowland, of the sheriff's office. He said
the turnover time will be reduced if the drugs are identified in house,
moving inmates more quickly from county jail to state penitentiary.

"The backup at the state laboratory is something between three months to a
year," Chief Deputy Rowland said.

With the delay, some people are able to post bond and commit more drug
offenses after being released.

With the new lab, Chief Deputy Rowland said, he believes the county can get
drug cases to court within 90 days.

"I think that's reasonable," he said.

At a June 10 work session, the county council approved bypassing the
traditional bid process in order to find a qualified contractor quickly.
Because of an already-tight budget for 2002-03, the work likely will be
paid for with money formerly earmarked for other building improvements,
such as the renovation of the council chambers.

The conversion of a cell block at the old jail to create the lab is
expected to cost at least $125,000.