DRUG DEBATE NOT AS TABOO

Almost every college student these days remembers hearing these words while
watching a Transformers cartoon or the Donahue talk show:

"This is your brain (an egg) this is your brain on drugs (frying pan with
egg sizzling) any questions?"

The comparison of an egg frying in a pan to your brain on drugs was a
highly recognized anti-drug commercial.

And who could forget Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign. All school
children in the '80s and early '90s were forced to draw "Just Say No"
posters for prizes.

In 2001, we are hearing a lot about drugs again, but this time it's a very
different message. Just consider that less than 10 years ago, the media
hammered then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton for having smoked
marijuana but "not inhaling."

In this last presidential election, Al Gore honestly admitted to smoking
marijuana and even enjoying the effects. On the other side, George Bush was
often questioned about his drug use, which almost certainly included
cocaine use in his 20s, and consistently ducked the issue. He only admitted
to doing some wilder things in his youth.

So why aren't voters punishing politicians for admitting -- or somewhat
admitting -- to experimenting with drugs? Probably because nobody cares.

Well, that may be extreme, but most people don't see experimenting with
drugs as the ultimate evil anymore. If fact, most Americans probably
understand where they are coming from because they also have experimented
with illegal drugs.

Just judging from public reaction, though, attitudes about drugs are
changing, especially when we constantly hear that illegal drugs are easier
to get than prescription drugs or alcohol. And our almost $50 billion,
taxpayer-funded drug war is hopelessly up against an underground drug
industry conservatively valued at $400 billion per year.

Ultimately, it's hard to believe that either candidate lost any votes
because of the drug issue, but that didn't make the subject any less
prominent. The drug debate pretty much hit the mainstream with our very own
governor, Gary Johnson, who bashes the war on drugs at every opportunity.
At times he even advocated the outright legalization of many drugs. Since
then, numerous media outlets have devoted plenty of time and articles to
the drug debate.

Professors, bureaucrats, elected politicians and average citizens are
seriously dealing with the questions about illegal drugs and our nation's
drug policies. Are we spending too much money on a losing battle? Should
people have the right to do some drugs, legally, in the comfort of their
home? Can we afford to send minor drug offenders to our already overcrowded
jails? Is the war on drugs working?

Well, Johnson has already made a number of public statements about some of
these questions. As written on his State of New Mexico Web site, "For the
amount of money that we are putting into the war on drugs, I want to
suggest that it its an absolute failure."

That's a pretty bold statement considering the United States has been
spending nearly $50 billion in tax dollars every year for decades trying to
keep America drug-free. His statement also comes at a time when our
government is sending money and military support to help Colombia fight its
drug war and stem the supply.

One idea is to just stop fighting the drug war and to make some illegal
drugs a government-regulated controlled substance then tax it, much like
alcohol today.

While even 10 years ago this idea would have seemed outrageous, a lot of
people these days are more open-minded to more options and ideas about drugs.

To be sure, the debate will rage on and elected politicians will probably
be slow to react. As Johnson has admitted in his self-determined pursuit
for a new drug policy, "This (issue) is an absolute zero. Politically, for
anybody holding office, for anybody that aspires to hold office."

Johnson is definitely speaking his mind, regardless of political
aspirations. It's worth noting, however, that Johnson doesn't always
practice what he preaches. He's vetoed millions of dollars for drug
treatment and education, and has been the state's biggest cheerleader of
the private prison industry, which depends on a steady stream of
non-violent drug offenders to pad the bottom line.

I'll admit that legalizing drugs is a bold policy step, so, for now, I just
hope our elected officials have the guts to talk about a new drug policy.

Surprisingly, the New Mexico Legislature has decided to be brave enough to
tackle the hot issue. At least three bills in the Legislature right now
deal with either the medical use of marijuana or some form of
decriminalization.

It's good that New Mexico is taking the lead on a national issue like such
as this. Without a doubt, people have already started the grassroots
debate, "grass" being the operative word.