Pubdate: Wed, 18 Oct 2006
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.uniontrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Author: Sandra Dibble

LEADERS DEBATE PLAN TO LEGALIZE DRUGS IN MEXICO

TIJUANA - A former governor's proposal that drugs be legalized in 
Mexico has set off a sharp debate in this region plagued by 
drug-related violence.

In the days since Ernesto Ruffo Appel brought up the subject at a 
business forum in Mexicali, it has drawn the attention of political, 
civic and religious leaders across the state.

"If someone wants to prick their veins, let them do so," Ruffo, a 
member of the National Action Party, or PAN, said on Friday. "But 
they should no longer be allowed to drag down governments."

The issue of legalizing or decriminalizing drugs has come amid a 
growing outcry against violence in Baja California, much of it 
related to drug trafficking. On Saturday, the Citizens Front for 
Security is expected to begin a 16-day march through the state to 
bring attention to the region's crime problems.

One of the march's leaders, Alberto Capella Ibarra, said yesterday 
that he would back a proposal to decriminalize drugs.

"It seems that Mr. Ruffo is correct, on an issue that has become 
politically very difficult for many leaders," said Capella, president 
of Baja California's Citizens' Advisory Committee on Public Safety.

Capella said suspects arrested with small amounts of drugs for 
personal use are routinely released by federal prosecutors, who 
investigate drug-related crimes. "In the strict sense, drugs are 
already legalized," Capella said.

Baja California for years has been a transit point for drugs being 
smuggled into the United States. Drug abuse has steadily increased, 
and leaders say that tighter U.S. border security has meant more 
drugs in the streets of border cities. Tijuana Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon 
estimates that his city has 100,000 drug addicts.

Ruffo's proposal hit a nerve, and many are opposing it, including 
Baja California Gov. Eugenio Elorduy and Tijuana Roman Catholic 
Bishop Rafael Romo Munoz. During a stop in Tijuana yesterday, 
Elorduy, who is also a PAN member, said drug prevention programs in 
schools and rehabilitation programs are the appropriate way to combat 
drug abuse.

"They are the path to preventing people from falling and becoming 
victims," Elorduy said.

Ruffo acknowledged that his proposal is controversial and that it 
won't be easy to legalize or decriminalize drugs in Mexico; any 
proposal would have to be embraced by state and federal legislatures.

Ruffo, now in private business, said nobody paid much attention when 
he first brought up the idea in 1993, while he was governor. But the 
idea received much attention when he spontaneously suggested it last 
week as he responded to a question about kidnappings.

"Thirteen years have passed, and the situation has continued to 
deteriorate . . . and affected many families that have nothing to do 
with drugs," Ruffo said. "We're at a point where nobody's doing 
anything . . . illegal drugs have created a monster."
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