OFFICER GROUPS CALL FOR DRUG DEBATE

The head of the New Mexico Police Chiefs Association said Wednesday his
group wants to publicly debate Gov. Gary Johnson on whether legalizing
drugs is a good idea.

"We're willing to sit down anytime he is," said Grants Police Chief Fred
Radosevich, president of the group, which has about 80 members from around
the state.

Radosevich said Johnson "hasn't sat down with anyone in New Mexico to
discuss it. The chiefs association is going to send him a letter saying
we're more than willing to discuss the issues with him."

Radosevich also said he believes Johnson's message -- which includes
support for legalizing drugs such as marijuana and heroin and a warning
that drugs are nonetheless a bad choice -- is "confusing to the kids." He
said he's talked about Johnson's opinions with his own teen-age son.

"I'm telling him (drugs are) a deadly issue," Radosevich said. "Thank God
he believes me -- I hope."

Diane Kinderwater, a spokeswoman for Johnson, did not say later Wednesday
whether Johnson would debate the association. But she said groups like it
will have a chance to speak their views at other forums that are being
planned.

"Gov. Johnson brought this out because he feels this whole country (should)
be debating this issue," Kinderwater said. She said the chiefs association
"isn't the first" to ask for a debate, and "there's going to be plenty of
opportunity for debate in the future."

Radosevich talked about a possible debate after members of his group, the
New Mexico Sheriffs and Police Association and the state Sheriffs
Association met at the Albuquerque Police Department training academy.

Members said Johnson's opinions on drugs were a big part of their
discussion. And they gathered after the meeting to give this message:

Drugs still are illegal in New Mexico, no matter what Johnson's opinions
are. And police and sheriff's deputies across the state will continue to
enforce the law.

"We are united in our efforts to combat drugs in the state of New Mexico,"
said Bernalillo County Sheriff Joe Bowdich, president of the sheriffs and
police association.

Albuquerque Police Chief Jerry Galvin added that officers are "dedicated to
enforcing the laws -- from the patrol officer all the way up to the chief."
He added that "When you say we should legalize (drugs), what message does
it send? That it's OK."

Kinderwater reiterated that Johnson believes drugs are "a bad choice, but
people should not be put in prison for a bad choice."