Pubdate: Fri, 08 Dec 2000
Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM)
Copyright: 2000 The Albuquerque Tribune.
Contact:  http://www.abqtrib.com/
Author: Gilbert Gallegos
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/soros.htm (Soros, George)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/johnson.htm (Johnson, Gary)

LEGISLATOR LABELS CONFERENCE AS 'PRO-DRUGGIE'

An Albuquerque conference on new ideas to battle drug and alcohol abuse 
will feature treatment and law enforcement specialists from around the world.

Among the speakers at next week's gathering will be the chief of police 
from Zurich, Switzerland, who will talk about reducing drug-related street 
crime.

A researcher from the San Francisco Department of Public Health will give 
pointers on how communities can deal with the health effects of substance 
abuse.

And a doctor from Darlinghurst, Australia, will give the lowdown on 
methadone treatments for heroin addicts.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to expand our current thoughts about 
these issues," New Mexico Health Secretary Alex Valdez said.

But one legislator says the conference guest list is a who's who of 
advocates for drug legalization and programs that emphasize an end to the 
nation's war on drugs.

"The conference is obviously a way to promote the legalization of drugs," 
said state Rep. Ron Godbey, an Albuquerque Republican. "From the list of 
speakers they're bringing here, they're all pro-druggies.

"I'd sure hate to think the governor is using state resources to promote 
this thing," said Godbey, who has been critical of New Mexico Gov. Gary 
Johnson's outspoken support of legalizing marijuana.

The conference, called "Working Together for Better Outcomes," was 
organized by the state Departments of Health and Public Safety.

A grant to pay for the conference was provided through the McCune 
Foundation by the Open Society Institute, an organization started by 
billionaire George Soros that advocates, among other things, a radical 
shift in the nation's approach to drug policies.

The conference is scheduled for Dec. 11 and 12 at the Albuquerque Hilton, 
1901 University Blvd. N.E.

"When the Departments of Health and Public Safety decided to do this, 
because it is not about drug legalization, they specifically didn't involve 
the governor or his office," said Katharine Huffman, the director of the 
New Mexico Drug Policy Project, an offshoot of the Lindsmith Center, which 
is a New York group that advocates changes to national policies on illegal 
drugs.

"They wanted to be sure that it wasn't connected with that issue. Instead 
the goal was to have a really serious, meaningful discussion about 
community health and safety."

Health Secretary Valdez said there is no connection between Johnson's ideas 
to legalize marijuana and the treatment and law enforcement issues that are 
the focus of the conference.

"It is very easy to cast aspersions on any activity taking place around 
this most critical issue as being an attempt to legalize drugs," Valdez 
said. "And I would have to say that is not correct . . . and I feel very 
comfortable with the direction we are pursuing."

Many of the ideas that will be discussed at the conference are the same 
topics that a state advisory group is considering recommending to Johnson 
for next month's legislative session.

The Governor's Drug Policy Advisory Group is expected to forward its 
suggestions -- including ideas like enacting a medical marijuana law and 
paying for more drug treatment programs -- to Johnson by the end of the month.

Huffman said the gist of the conference is to get experts on drug treatment 
together with law enforcement officials to figure out ways to work together 
to decrease drug use and the violence that goes with it.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager