Pubdate: Sun, 21 Apr 2002
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM)
Copyright: 2002 The Santa Fe New Mexican
Contact:  http://www.sfnewmexican.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/695
Author: Jonathan McDonald, The New Mexican

DRUG-LAW REFORM SPOTLIGHT FADING INTO PAST

When Gov. Gary Johnson leaves office at the end of the year, the chances 
for drug-law reform in New Mexico may go with him.

Gubernatorial candidates from both major parties say they are opposed to 
the platform of drug reforms backed by the current governor and would 
likely veto any drug decriminalization bills passed by the state 
Legislature during their potential administrations.

The only Democrat on the ballot, Bill Richardson, said he is "flatly 
opposed" to the legalization of drugs. "The crusade for drug reform is not 
on my priority list at all," he said.

The drug-reform pendulum has swung so sharply that one gubernatorial 
candidate, state Rep. Rob Burpo, R-Albuquerque, said he will impose 
mandatory drug-testing on himself and his Cabinet, if elected.

In 2001, Burpo unsuccessfully pushed a bill in the state Legislature to 
require random drug testing of state lawmakers.

"People ought to have faith that the people making laws and signing bills 
into law are doing it with a clear head," Burpo said. At least one of 
Burpo's primary opponents, Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley, is on record supporting 
drug-tests for public officials.

Burpo said his comments about mandatory drug-testing of his Cabinet were 
not a swipe at Johnson, who has admitted he has used marijuana and cocaine.

Richardson said "too much attention has been paid to the 
legalization-of-drugs issue." He said New Mexico's focus should be on 
education, health care and jobs, but indicated he would support more 
treatment options for drug addicts.

The Democratic candidate also said he would consider supporting the use of 
medical marijuana if scientific evidence convinced him of its value. The 
question of medical marijuana is where Richardson and the Republican 
candidates most obviously split. While Richardson left the door open for 
possibly supporting medical cannabis, the Republican candidates say they 
wouldn't back such a reform.

Burpo and Rep. John Sanchez, R-Albuquerque, both said prescription medicine 
is available that allows patients to use marijuana's active chemicals 
without having to smoke the drug.

Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley said he views legalizing medical marijuana as a 
federal issue and wouldn't support a state law allowing the use of pot for 
health reasons. "I would not want to authorize something that would put New 
Mexicans in jeopardy of violating federal law," Bradley said.

Dave Miller, Johnson's legislative liaison, said it's easy for politicians 
running for office to say they are against major reforms to the state's 
drug laws, but when one of them wins the election, the individual will face 
a situation that mandates change.

"Whomever is the next governor, they're going to have full prisons and a 
high rate of infectious disease" among intravenous drug users, Miller said. 
"The last time I checked, the Democrats are not real big on building prisons."

Miller said the state has 13,000 heroin addicts. Thirty-five percent of 
hepatitis and AIDS infections are caused by drug users sharing dirty 
needles. And between 10 percent and 20 percent of the state prison 
population is behind bars for drug possession or on trafficking charges, he 
said.

The situation mandates reform, Miller argued. And he predicted that when 
Johnson leaves office - and no longer provides a lightning rod for 
opposition to drug reforms - New Mexico's drug policy will be changed.

Johnson, who has been in the national spotlight for his support of drug 
reforms, won't leave the cause when he leaves office, Miller said.

Miller didn't have any specifics, but said he was "confident (Johnson) will 
find a role immediately after leaving office, providing voice and 
leadership on the national level" to the drug-reform movement
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart