JOHNSON FACES STUDENTS' QUESTIONS

Gov. Gary Johnson on Monday said it will take a grass-roots effort to
legalize drugs in this country as he encouraged a group of high school
students to vote once they are old enough.

"You all do have an incredible power that you're about to inherit," Johnson
told about 60 students at Santa Fe High School who met with him during a
question-and-answer session. "I'm talking about being 18 and the right to
vote," Johnson said. "That's how you make change in this country, by
exercising that right to vote."

However, Johnson said the students would not be able to vote for him
because he does not plan to seek another political office once his second
term as governor is over at the end of 2002.

"This is the last office that I am going to hold," Johnson said. "So you're
not going to be able to vote for me."

Many students were skeptical of Johnson's contention that legalizing drugs
would lead to a reduction in drug use.

Johnson contends the war on drugs has failed and that the billions of
dollars spent on law enforcement should be redirected to drug prevention
and treatment programs.

"I'm not condoning drug use here, not in any way whatsoever," Johnson told
the students. "I'm not condoning the use of alcohol or tobacco."

Lucia Daniels, a senior, asked Johnson why he was so focused on the drug
issue when he acknowledges it is a national issue.

"How is the governor of one state going to change this?" Daniels asked.
"How are you going to get beyond Washington public opinion?"

Johnson said he thinks drugs will be legalized after there is a groundswell
of public support.

"Politicians listen to their constituencies," Johnson said. "Politicians
follow, they really don't lead."

Senior Bear Zedillo asked why Johnson was not doing more to reduce the
problem of driving while intoxicated when "DWIs happen every day in New
Mexico." Johnson countered that he thinks the drug issue is the most
important issue in the country.

Senior Tyler Davis said he was glad Johnson was talking about the issue of
drug legalization.

"Johnson rocks," Davis said. "Johnson for president."

Emily Rodrigue, a senior, said Zurich, Switzerland, saw an increase in
heroin addicts and that a city park became known as "Needle Park" after a
legalization program was tried there.

"It's a dynamic process," Johnson responded, referring to drug-legalization
efforts. "They have disbanded 'Needle Park.' It no longer exists."

Rodrigue also raised concerns about whether health problems would increase
if drugs like marijuana were legalized.

"I would believe that a joint of marijuana was more carcinogenic than a
(tobacco) cigarette," Johnson said. "But people aren't smoking a pack of
marijuana joints a day."