Pubdate: Wed, 14 Mar 2001
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 2001 Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/johnson.htm (Johnson, Gary)

JOHNSON GETS LOFTY SUPPORT FOR DRUG POLICY REFORM PLANS

SANTA FE -- Former U.S. Secretary of State George P. Schultz called Gov. 
Gary Johnson on Tuesday to express support for the governor's campaign to 
revamp drug policies.

Johnson said the call came "out of the blue."

The governor said Schultz, who served under President Reagan, told him they 
shared the view that the war on drugs had been a failure.

Johnson supports lifting criminal sanctions for marijuana possession. For 
other drugs, such as heroin, he advocates "harm reduction" programs that 
focus on treatment of addiction and prevention of health problems from drug 
use. Schultz knew of the governor's effort to change New Mexico's laws, 
according to Johnson.

"We chitchatted a bit and he just interestingly said, 'If at any time 
invoking his name might work to my benefit to please do so,'" Johnson told 
reporters Tuesday.
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