DRUG PANEL WANTS MORE TREATMENT, NEW LAWS

An advisory group formed by Gov. Gary Johnson unveiled a slew of ideas
today aimed at cutting into New Mexico's illegal drug problem. The wish
list includes several proposals to expand drug treatment and prevention
programs, and to change laws to decriminalize the possession and use of
small amounts of marijuana.

The Governor's Drug Policy Advisory Group also recommended ideas like
allowing for the use of marijuana as a medical treatment for some people
suffering from terminal diseases, and expanding the state's needle-exchange
program to help reduce drug-related diseases.

The group, led by retired state District Judge Woody Smith, hopes to arm
Johnson with ideas to lay a foundation for a comprehensive state drug
policy. Smith admitted some ideas -- such as decriminalizing marijuana
possession -- might by controversial. But he and others on the group urged
the public and legislators to consider the entire package of
recommendations with open minds. "I feel these changes, if they are taken
seriously, will make things better in this state," Smith said during a news
conference this morning. Johnson, a Republican, received the group's report
Wednesday. He will sift through the recommendations and decide which ones
he will pursue. Johnson will outline his thoughts about the report Friday
during a news conference, an aide said.

Health Secretary Alex Valdez, a member of the group, said many of the ideas
can be pursued administratively.

Other policy recommendations, such as changes in criminal sentencing laws
and money to expand treatment programs, will require approval from the
Legislature when it meets later this month.

The push for new drug-control strategies was born out of Johnson's
controversial support, first to decriminalize drug possession, then later
to legalize some drugs. The reason for decriminalizing marijuana use --
basically removing criminal sanctions for possession of one ounce or less
of the drug -- is to free up jail and prison space for violent criminals.

However, the group did not tackle the idea of legalizing drugs, which
Johnson feels is a national issue for Congress, not states, to deal with.
Instead, Johnson asked the group to come up with more practical ideas to
help reduce the effects of drug abuse.

A leading legislative critic is leery about Johnson's efforts to change
drug policies. Rep. Ron Godbey, an Albuquerque Republican, has said he
believes Johnson is using so-called "harm-reduction" programs as a means
toward more liberal drug laws. Godbey has promised to fight Johnson's
drug-policy proposals in the Legislature. Mayor Jim Baca, another member of
the group, urged critics not to overreact to individual recommendations.

Baca said that taken as a whole, the package is a long-range plan that
would eventually help the state and cities free up money for more important
priorities, such as fighting violent crime and beefing up education
programs. "There's nothing very radical in here," Baca said of the
recommendations. "It's all pretty much common sense stuff."