Pubdate: July 6, 1999 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 1999 Albuquerque Journal Contact: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103 Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Author: Rebecca Lopez, The Associated Press N.M. ORGANIZATIONS MAKE DRUG REFORM ALLIANCE ALBUQUERQUE -- Gov. Gary Johnson's call for drug reform debate last week motivated several New Mexico organizations to form an alliance to discuss alternatives to current drug policies. The New Mexico Alliance for Drug Policy Reform announced Monday that it will provide a forum for organizations to brainstorm solutions to drug offenses other than incarceration. "Instead of spending money on drug prohibition, we need to address the impact of current drug war policies," said Steven Bunch, president of the New Mexico Drug Policy Foundation, one of the groups in the alliance. Alternatives so far include decriminalization, strengthening education programs and expanding harm-reduction programs such as methadone clinics and syringe exchange programs. Alliance members also will act as speakers, forum participants and resources for information on drugs and drug policy. The alliance would eventually like to propose its ideas to the governor, Bunch said. Some alliance members support the decriminalization of marijuana, while others hope mainly to provide more education. "But we all agree and recognize that the drug war is causing more harm than it's actually solving," Bunch said. By creating the alliance, the groups are not only advocating solutions but are doing so in a forum in which they can feel secure speaking out, he said. "Once one verbalizes support for discussing drug reform policies, they are immediately labeled as someone who supports children who use drugs and that's not the case," Bunch said, emphasizing that new policies would still prohibit drug use by children. Messages were left seeking comment from the governor's office, which was closed for the national Independence Day observance Monday. AP-WS-07-06-99 0912EDT - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D