N.M. LAW OFFICIAL QUITS, CITING DRUG POLICY DIFFERENCE

SANTA FE, N.M. - New Mexico's top law enforcement official said this week
he has resigned because of differences over Republican Gov. Gary E.
Johnson's call for legalization of drugs.

Department of Public Safety Secretary Darren White said in his resignation
letter, dated Tuesday, that he had supported Johnson's initial calls for a
national debate on drug policy.

"This is no longer a call for debate. This is a crusade to legalize drugs
and I don't share those beliefs," White said.

Johnson advocates legalization of hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

White, 36, said his decision to resign had been difficult because he was
torn between loyalty to the governor and his own deeply held beliefs.

Johnson, 46, appointed White to his post, where he oversaw the State Police
and emergency management operations, in 1995.

Johnson released a brief statement yesterday saying he had accepted White's
resignation and appointed Frank Taylor, the chief of New Mexico State
Police, to replace him temporarily.

White had criticized Johnson's stance on drugs as a "morale killer" for law
enforcement personnel and spoken out against prison privatization, which
Johnson supports.

Johnson's stance on drugs has drawn criticism from the state's Republican
Party and President Clinton's drug policy director, Barry R. McCaffrey.