Pubdate: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 1999 Journal Publishing Co. Contact: P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103 Website: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Author: Michael Coleman, Journal Politics Writer DRUG CZAR REBUTS JOHNSON'S STANCE SANTA FE -- The country's top drug fighter has told Gov. Gary Johnson that drug legalization is "at odds with the views of the American people" and urged him to reconsider his attack on national policy. Barry McCaffrey, a retired U.S. Army general who heads the Office of National Drug Control Policy, challenged Johnson's claim that the drug war has failed and reminded him that governors play an important role in combating drug use. "Your publicly stated opinions seem to espouse what could be viewed as a drug-legalization agenda that would be inconsistent with the goals of our national strategy and at odds with the view of the American people," McCaffrey wrote to Johnson in a four-page letter released by the drug chief Tuesday. "With all due respect, I would encourage you to re-examine this issue," wrote McCaffrey, who was appointed to the drug czar post by President Clinton in 1996. Johnson, a Republican, has appeared on national television programs in recent weeks in an effort to spark a national debate on drug policy, including possible decriminalization or legalization of certain drugs. Johnson has admitted to using marijuana and cocaine in college, but said he hasn't used drugs since his early 20s and stopped drinking alcohol 12 years ago. An avid triathlete, the 46-year-old governor says he is not condoning drug use, which he calls a "bad choice." Through a spokeswoman, Johnson said Tuesday he will continue to push for a national drug debate, despite McCaffrey's letter. "We both have the same goal of reducing drug use, but we want to go about achieving that goal differently," Johnson said. "I believe you can't lock up the nation to do it." While McCaffrey's letter says most Americans are opposed to relaxing drug laws, Johnson has received mostly positive correspondence from the public in connection with his views, said his spokeswoman, Diane Kinderwater. Rob Housman, a spokesman for McCaffrey, said Johnson's national media exposure has turned him into "the poster child for drug legalization in the U.S." He said Johnson is sending a bad message to kids. "It doesn't matter if you call it legalization or decriminalization, it's still irresponsible," Housman said. "If you make these substances (legally) available in the United States, it means more kids will get them." Housman said Johnson's assertion that the national drug war has failed is "nonsense." A national study completed last year found that youth drug use has declined by 13 percent and cocaine use among all Americans has declined by almost 70 percent since 1985, according to McCaffrey's letter to Johnson. "Our societywide efforts are clearly taking effect," McCaffrey said. Although Johnson's public calls for a drug debate have slowed since August, he has by no means abandoned his push for a national debate, Kinderwater said. Johnson is scheduled to be the keynote speaker next month at a drug-policy conference hosted by the Cato Institute, a libertarian-leaning think tank in Washington, D.C. "All the information that he has received has just reinforced his position that our war (on drugs) is failing," Kinderwater said. "The governor is more encouraged than ever to proceed with this." State Republican Party Chairman John Dendahl said Tuesday that McCaffrey's letter does not seem politically motivated. "Let's give the general the benefit of the doubt and say he's doing exactly what the governor invited, and that's joining in the debate," Dendahl said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake