ROCKY DRUG STANCE IRES UTAH DEMOS

LOS ANGELES -- Utah Democrats attending their party's National
Convention here moved quickly Wednesday to distance themselves from
Democratic Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson's suggestion that
decriminalization of marijuana deserves serious consideration.

Anderson made the comments Tuesday in interviews after a speech at an
alternative "Shadow Convention" criticizing the country's so-called war
on drugs.

Several members of the Utah delegation to the Democratic Convention
complained about Anderson's timing and wisdom. They were especially
angered that widespread publicity of the mayor's provocative comments
could eclipse and confuse their own message of moderation and unity.

"It was irresponsible," said state Democratic Chairwoman Meg Holbrook
of Anderson's remarks. "To have that opinion as a private citizen is
one thing, but he is mayor of Salt Lake City."

Another delegate, Trisha Beck, voiced similar frustration, which she
said was shared by a number of people among the 29-member Utah
delegation. "It is concerning for somebody in a leadership position to
say that," said Beck, a state legislator representing a Sandy House
district. "It was very inappropriate."

"We don't want to be linked with his philosophies," she added. Four
other delegation members privately expressed ire at Anderson's
comments.

Utah Democratic leaders have been attempting to forge a more
conservative image and slate of candidates and they appear to view
Anderson's maverick style as a threat to achieving a more "mainstream"
party reputation.

Anderson on Wednesday made no apologies for his remarks of the previous
day. He said his comments on marijuana decriminalization were only a
"minor" part of his call for reform of the nation's get-tough policy on
drugs. But he said he feels an obligation to raise such controversial
issues because the major parties are bent on ignoring them.

"Their [Democrats'] concept of moderation is exactly why we need the
'Shadow Convention'," said Anderson. "They want to avoid the difficult
issues."

He said complaints that he was acting irresponsibly or inappropriately
were "indicative of people more concerned with politics than they are
with solving problems."

During his "Shadow Convention" speech, Anderson called the multibillion-
dollar war on drugs "absolute insanity" and a political illusion that
has failed to curb substance abuse. He advocated treatment, prevention
and education as the more effective way to combat narcotics.

In interviews after the speech, Anderson said he did not advocate
legalization of drugs. But, he said, "Decriminalization of marijuana
might be more workable . . . To throw people in jail for smoking a
joint of marijuana is really destructive to everyone, including the
taxpayer."

He said he was not endorsing decriminalization, but calling for serious
discussion of that approach in developing a more rational response to
fighting drug abuse. Anderson told reporters he knew some of his
positions, and his termination of the popular DARE anti-drug abuse
program in Salt Lake City this summer, were "a huge political negative
for me." But he said ultimately the truth "resonates" with voters.

Anderson said he canceled funding and police support for DARE because
of persuasive evidence it was an ineffective "feel good" program.

Asked about his decision to address the controversy at an alternative
forum during the Democratic National Convention, Anderson described his
icy relations with the Utah party establishment. "I don't do a lot with
the Democratic Party," said Anderson. "Frankly, the Democratic Party in
Utah runs away from these issues. They have not taken a position on
anything that's at all controversial."