Pubdate: Sun, 10 Oct 1999
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 1999 Houston Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html
Author: Frank Davies

N.M. GOVERNOR'S DRUG STAND STIRS FUROR

WASHINGTON -- A heretic in the war on drugs has emerged to shake up the
debate on this volatile subject, and he's a conservative Republican governor
with an unlikely resume.

Gary Johnson of New Mexico fits a traditional GOP profile. Elected last year
to his second term, he has worked to cut taxes, shrink the size of
government, build new prisons with tough restrictions on inmates and resist
gun controls.

But Johnson, 46, has gained national attention -- praise and derision -- as
a maverick governor who wants to legalize drugs, from marijuana to heroin.

His position in a nutshell is: "Control it. Regulate it. Tax it. Educate
people truthfully about its dangers. If we legalize it, we just might have a
better society."

Johnson calls the drug war, with a federal budget of about $18 billion
annually, "an absolute failure" that peddles "lies" in its ad campaign to
youths.

"They're told if they try marijuana their brains will be damaged -- a kid
tries it and learns that's not true. He wonders what to believe," he said

Johnson has admitted extensive pot use as a young man but said he does not
use alcohol, tobacco or drugs now. He has insisted that his is not a
pro-drug message. "Don't do drugs. It's a bad choice. Me and my buddies
smoked -- did we belong in jail? Man, I don't think so."

Johnson said the legalization effort will take years and is fraught with
problems. He said he would support random drug testing of employees, ban
narcotics sales and use to children, "and if we put all that money into
treatment and education, we would be a lot better off."

Other conservatives have called for legalizing or decriminalizing some drug
offenses. So has outgoing Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke. But a sitting
governor -- and one whose state borders Mexico, a source of drugs -- is a
different matter.

Johnson has been criticized by state GOP leaders and several law enforcement
officials.

The nation's drug czar, Barry McCaffrey, flew to New Mexico Thursday to
excoriate Johnson for undermining the drug war and "sending a terrible
message to kids."

Youths were calling the governor "Puff Daddy Johnson," McCaffrey said.

Johnson said he is ready for the political consequences. "McCaffrey has made
me his poster child in this war. I know this is a zero for anyone holding
office -- I'm in the ground and the dirt is being thrown on me."

"The big story is Johnson's stand against the drug war hasn't hurt him
much," said researcher Brad Coker. "People know he's independent, speaks his
mind, and they don't hold it against him.''

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