GOP TAKES OWN DRUG STANCE

Worried about fallout from Republican Gov. Gary Johnson's support for
drug legalization, a state GOP leadership group is calling for tougher
penalties for supplying drugs to children.

State GOP chairman John Dendahl said the party's executive committee
wasn't reprimanding Johnson for taking a position contrary to the
national Republican platform. "No, the executive committee is not
spanking the governor," Dendahl said.

The executive committee approved a resolution Saturday in Taos that
reiterated the 1996 national platform against drug legalization and
expressed support for tougher laws in New Mexico against providing
illegal drugs to children.

It's the second time the leadership panel has publicly tried to
distance the party from Johnson's position on drugs.

In July, when Johnson was advocating only a public debate on
decriminalizing some drug use, the executive committee urged the
governor not to advocate lifting any penalties in New Mexico for
drug-related crimes.

Later, Johnson expanded his position by supporting the legalization of
marijuana, heroin and other drugs as a national policy. However,
Johnson says he won't propose such a change in state law.

Dendahl said many Republicans continue to be troubled that Johnson's
support for drug legalization may be misunderstood by children.

"There have been too many reports of kids dodging behind the current
dialogue on drug policy, pretending the governor has said drug use is
OK," Dendahl said in a written statement.

"Whatever anyone thinks about adults making choices, all agree drugs
and booze are simply not an option for our youth."

Dendahl said the executive committee did not endorse a specific
proposal for increased penalties for selling or providing drugs to
children.

But Dendahl said, "Speaking personally, even hanging might be too kind
of a fate for someone who hooks kids on this stuff."

Johnson, throughout his campaign for drug law changes, has maintained
he's not encouraging children to use drugs. He also says his current
lifestyle should serve as a role model for children to avoid drugs. He
is an avid athlete who doesn't drink alcohol, smoke or use drugs.

Johnson has acknowledged he smoked marijuana -- and used cocaine three
times -- more than 20 years ago.

Diane Kinderwater, the governor's spokeswoman, said there would be
penalties against supplying drugs to children even if adults could
legally use drugs as Johnson advocates.

"Under a legalized scenario, it will always be illegal to deal drugs
to children," said Kinderwater.