REINING IN RUMORS ABOUT DRUG REFORM IN N.M.

New Mexico's Proposed Drug Policy Reforms Aren't Radical, Today's Writer
Argues. It's Actually Behind Other States In Developing More Compassionate
And Practical Laws.

Rumors are flying about what drug policy reform would mean for New Mexico.

With six bills coming up before the Legislature this session, people's
concerns are understandable.

Are we heading towards legalization? Is New Mexico moving too fast?

Would reform mean easier access to drugs? Would the proposed legislation
undermine drug courts? Is Gov. Gary Johnson behind all of this?

In a word, the answer to each of these questions is no.

None of the proposed legislation would legalize drugs. Rather, the six drug
policy reform bills before the Legislature would allow for:

Treatment, instead of incarceration for nonviolent drug possession offenders.

Medical marijuana for patients suffering from diseases such as cancer and AIDS.

Protection for innocent property owners through civil asset forfeiture reform.

Judicial discretion instead of mandatory sentencing.

Civil penalties instead of criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession.

Letting those who have completed drug sentences apply for federal benefits
to get back on their feet.

It might seem like New Mexico is moving fast on these, but we are actually
behind other states when it comes to enacting more cost-effective and
compassionate drug policies.

For example, Arizona and California have both passed laws allowing for
treatment instead of jail for first- and second-time nonviolent drug
possession offenders.

In fact, the Arizona Supreme Court recently issued a report on their law's
progress, finding that it saved taxpayers more than $6.7 million during
fiscal year 1999 and that 62 percent of probationers had successfully
completed treatment.

In Arkansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington, voters
have passed civil asset forfeiture reform bills. Nine states have passed
voter ballot initiatives or legislation authorizing the medicinal use of
marijuana under state law; and nine already have fines, instead of
potential jail time, for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.

Twenty-nine states have opted out of limiting federal benefits for drug
offenders who have successfully completed their sentences.

As far as making drugs more readily available in New Mexico, nothing would
do that more than maintaining our current drug policies. Although we spend
billions of federal, state and local taxpayer dollars each year fighting
the drug war, drugs are cheaper, purer and more readily available than ever
before.

The many states that have passed reforms such as those before the New
Mexico legislature this year have not experienced a rise in drug
availability or drug use as a result. Rather, they have saved lives, money
and law enforcement resources.

Regarding drug courts, the proposed legislation would work with them, not
against them. Drug courts are - and should be - an important part of the
continuum of treatment services available in New Mexico.

By adding supervised community-based treatment to that continuum, drug
courts can focus their attention on cases that most need their
comprehensive services. Taxpayers' dollars would be used more effectively,
and more people who need help would be able to get it.

Lastly, while these reform proposals are supported by Governor Johnson,
they also have the support of many Democratic and Republican legislators,
along with treatment providers, medical doctors, law enforcement officials
and public health professionals.

For example, among those legislators who introduced the bills are: Sen.
Manny Aragon, an Albuquerque Democrat; Sen. Roman Maes, a Santa Fe
Democrat; Rep. Patsy Trujillo-Knauer, a Santa Fe Democrat; Rep. Ken
Martinez, a Grants Democrat; Rep. Gail Beam, an Albuquerque Democrat; and
Rep. Joe Thompson, an Albuquerque Republican.

Most importantly, these sensible reforms have the support of the majority
of New Mexico voters - the ones that our elected officials are representing
up in Santa Fe.

It's time to stop spending taxpayer dollars on drug policies that don't work.

Our law enforcement resources are too precious to waste on locking up
nonviolent drug offenders, many of whom are struggling with addiction.
Instead, we need to reserve these resources for violent offenders, and
prioritize drug treatment, prevention and family education.

We all worry about drugs when it comes to our children, our families and
our communities. These policies will make things better, instead of worse,
as they are now.

This is not about politics. It's about common sense.