MEXICAN PRESIDENT TO SIGN DRUG BILL

Measure Will Legalize Small Amounts Of Drugs But Stiffen Penalties
For Trafficking

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican President Vicente Fox will sign into law a
measure that decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of
marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs for personal use, his
spokesman said Tuesday.

Spokesman Ruben Aguilar defended the law, which was approved Friday
by Mexico's Senate, despite criticism in the United States that it
could increase casual drug use.

"The president is going to sign this law," said Aguilar, who called
the legislation "a better tool . . . that allows better action and
better coordination in the fight against drug dealing."

"The government believes that this law represents progress, because
it established the minimum quantities that a citizen can carry for
personal use," Aguilar said.

Under current Mexican law, judges can drop charges against people
caught with drugs if they can prove they are addicts and if an expert
certifies they were caught with "the quantity necessary for personal use.

"The new bill makes the decriminalization automatic and drops the
addict requirement -- automatically letting any "consumers" have drugs.

While police still will be able to detain people for public
consumption or possession, it appears that those caught would be
referred to a treatment program -- of which Mexico has few -- or have
their names added to a registry of addicts.

Friday, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said he was "appalled" by the
bill. The city of 1.3 million people is a short drive from Tijuana, Mexico.

"I certainly think we are going to see more drugs available in the
United States," Sanders said. "We need to register every protest the
American government can muster.

"Under the new law, consumers may possess up to 25 milligrams of
heroin, 5 grams of marijuana (about four joints), or 0.5 grams of
cocaine -- the equivalent of about four "lines."

The law also establishes allowable quantities for other drugs,
including LSD, Ecstasy -- about two pills' worth -- and amphetamines.

However, the bill stiffens penalties for trafficking and possession
of drugs -- even small quantities -- by government employees or near
schools, and it maintains criminal penalties for drug sales.

It also gives local police more power to go after small-scale dealing.