SHOOTING VICTIM HAS QUESTION FOR GOV.

Albuquerque architect Bill Davis -- shot in the face last month by a
15-year-old fleeing an alleged drug-related burglary -- has just one
question for Gov. Gary Johnson. "I want him to tell me how legalizing drugs
would have prevented me from getting shot in the head," Davis, 51, said in
a recent interview. "I would like the governor to face me eyeball to
eyeball and tell me how he could even be contemplating legalizing drugs.

I'm sitting here with a .45 slug in my head that I have to live with the
rest of my life because of some hop-head."

Told Davis' comments, Johnson said he believes legalizing drugs, such as
heroin and marijuana, would lead to a reduction in crime and drug usage
because drugs would be strictly regulated and controlled. Johnson contends
the war on drugs has failed and that money spent on law enforcement could
be redirected to drug treatment and education programs if drugs were
legalized.

"They wouldn't have been out to steal," Johnson said, referring to the boy
who reportedly shot Davis as he and his uncle fled from a burglary in
Davis' neighborhood.

"There wouldn't be a motivation to go out and get money for drugs under a
legalization scenario."

But Davis said he thinks providing addicts with drugs "would be like
saying, 'Let's open up all the bars to all the alcoholics.' ''

"I agree there needs to be better treatment programs, but people also to
need to face consequences for their actions," Davis said. "I don't want my
tax dollars to go for giving away drugs to a bunch of irresponsible people."

Davis also criticized Johnson for taking part in drug-policy forums, as he
did Sunday at the University of New Mexico School of Law.

"There's just so much in this state that needs to be addressed that he
isn't even talking about, like his plan for education and what he's going
to do about these kids like the kid that shot me," Davis said. "He should
be holding forums on how to strengthen our laws and make them stick and
make people face consequences."

Johnson said he believes legalizing drugs would have a greater effect on
reducing crime than anything else he could do.

"Isn't this what positively impacts violence and crime more than any other
topic?" Johnson asked. "I would argue there isn't a bigger issue in the
country right now than this."

However, at the urging of fellow Republicans, Johnson has agreed to tone
down his push to legalize drugs at least through the upcoming 30-day
legislative session, which begins Jan. 18.

Johnson said he would honor prior commitments related to the drug issue.
Johnson also still plans to debate drug legalization on Dec. 14 with
Bernalillo County District Attorney Jeff Romero, who vehemently opposes the
idea.