GOV.'S VIEW ON DRUGS ATTRACTS NATIONAL MEDIA

SANTA FE -- The national news media are picking up on New Mexico Gov. Gary
Johnson's call for a debate on the nation's drug war.

Johnson fielded questions during a live interview on MSNBC's late morning
news show HotWire on Monday and will be interviewed by a New York Times
reporter this week.

"This is just the beginning," said Diane Kinderwater, the governor's
spokeswoman. "The discussion needs to be held; it needs to take place."

Kinderwater said Johnson decided to seek a national forum on whether the
United States should consider drug decriminalization or legalization
because he wants to push the issue of drug-related crime and addiction
toward a solution.

"He doesn't feel he can leave office with regrets, and he feels he has an
obligation as governor to find a solution to the drug problem," Kinderwater
said. "People are asking why, and it's because it needs to be done." Last
week a reporter from The Dallas Morning News newspaper interviewed Johnson.
He's also to appear on a news program on the FOX network. Jim Hightower, a
radio talk-show host based in Texas, has interviewed Johnson.

Johnson, a Republican, plans a series of public forums in New Mexico on the
issue.

On MSNBC, Johnson compared the enforcement of drug laws and incarceration
for drug crimes to the nation's failed attempt at alcohol prohibition
earlier this century.

"You have $50 billion spent annually on those, so the idea is to somehow
redirect those resources on the problem side, on the people with
addictions. And advertising (that says) 'Don't do drugs,' '' Johnson said
Monday.

Johnson, who acknowledged during his first campaign for governor in 1994
that he had used marijuana recreationally in college and occasionally used
cocaine at that time, told MSNBC many Americans believe that those caught
smoking marijuana shouldn't go to jail.

Yet, the governor said, 700,000 people were arrested for marijuana-related
arrests in 1997.

"There is a disconnect between that belief and what is happening in this
country," Johnson said.

But Johnson said he does not condone drug use and believes that people
under 21 should be prohibited from using drugs.

The governor has come under fire from state law enforcement officials for
his views.

Johnson's stance also is at odds with the Republican national platform and
many Republicans in New Mexico. Yet Johnson said Monday he believes his
idea to disband the nation's fight against drug sales and use is
particularly Republican.

"I happen to think it is actually very Republican, that it's (about)
personal responsibility, it's about holding people accountable for their
actions," Johnson said.

State Republican Party chairman John Dendahl said he agrees that Johnson's
view of personal accountability and choice is a stance Republicans support,
but the Republican Party does not advocate decriminalization.

"Gary is quite libertarian, (he supports) smaller government, and he wants
people to be free to do what they want to do as long as they take
responsibility for their actions and don't hurt other people," Dendahl
said. "I certainly agree the libertarian approach is consistent with
Republican principles."

Dendahl, who along with the state party's executive committee has urged
Johnson to oppose any slackening of New Mexico's drug laws, said he has
received no criticism from national Republican leaders for Johnson's stance.

"I also support another statement from the platform: to discuss our point
of view civilly and with respect," Dendahl said.