MEXICO OKs HAVING SMALL AMOUNTS OF SOME DRUGS

A law passed by Mexico's Congress that decriminalizes the possession
of personal-use amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs
has police and anti-drug advocates in El Paso worried.

Early Friday, Mexico's Congress approved the measure, intended to free
police to focus on large-scale drug trafficking. President Vicente Fox
is expected to sign it into law.

"I am concerned. There are a lot of issues we have to look at," El
Paso police Chief Richard Wiles said. "Being on the border, for those
types of drugs being out in the open over there (in Mexico) -- there
is concern."

Wiles said he fears that if the measure is enacted, it will lure drug
users to Ju!rez and increase the potential of intoxicated people
returning to El Paso.

The measure would eliminate criminal charges for possession of up to
25 milligrams of heroin, 5 grams of marijuana and 0.5 grams of
cocaine. Drug sales would still be illegal.

Cities on the border with the U.S. have historically led drug
consumption in Mexico.

Marge Bartoletti, director of the Rio Grande Safe Communities
Coalition that has been fighting underage drinking in Ju!rez, said she
was disappointed to learn of the proposed law. "Both countries have a
problem with substance abuse," she said. "I think making things easier
(on drug users), I think it just encourages abuse."