Drug Debate Head A
Drug Debate Head B [images: CBS TV]
end the war
heroin facts
email here
back to index

Governor Gary Johnson's Summary Position

Although Gary Johnson is a Republican governor, he is better described as a Libertarian. Addressing University of New Mexico students (12.8.99), Johnson spoke about his ideology. As a college student, Johnson was a Democrat. He claims he became a Republican the day "he started making money." Johnson believes the government wastes too much of the taxpayers' money. As an example, he noted "the education system in New Mexico is in terrible shape right now, and I take responsibility for that. All I've done while I've been in office is pump money into it, but I plan to change that with vouchers this session" (New Mexico's education program is one of the poorest in the nation).

  Gary Johnson  

"I am not condoning drug use. I am not condoning alcohol use, drug use or tobacco use." The fact is that the War on Drugs is an "absolute, miserable failure." What we are currently doing is "arresting and incarcerating citizens of this country."


[images: CBS TV]


 

A Short Profile on Gary Johnson: During a National Governors' Association meeting in Puerto Rico a few years back, the triathlete Johnson "challenged some Navy Seals to swim in shark-infested waters out to an island." "He did it, too. Gary and these Seals swam out to this island with the sharks," a friend recalled. "Afterwards, the Navy Seals gave Gary a medal. He is a piece of work."

The legalization of drugs is a viable alternative to what we are currently doing. We will make a difference through legalization, control, regulation, taxes, "getting your arms around illegal drugs that are currently illegal. This cannot happen under a black market."

We are currently making 1.6 million arrests per year for illegal drugs. This includes 700,000 for marijuana. Eighty percent of all arrests are for possession only.

There are a couple of models that show the effectiveness of a different appoach. In Holland, they have one-half the crime rate, one-half the drug usage, one-half the marijuana usage and one-tenth the incarceration rate.

In Switzerland, they provide heroin. The individual must first be a heroin addict. They get a prescription, go to a clinic and get a fix at the clinic. This reduces crime, disease and prostitution. The model works so well that the citizens voted to expand the program.

How man stories will we have to hear about kids murdering other kids or people just to get money for drugs? I challenge the media and public to look at the facts.

Legislative History of Interest:
Johnson vetoed a bill in 1999 that would have increased the state taxes on cigarettes by $.06 -- one of the most effective tools in reducing youth smoking. New Mexico's taxes on cigarettes have not increased since 1993 and currently position the state 34th in the nation. Johnson also defends the state efforts to privatize the prison system. The facilities have come under fire recently due to a series of riots and prisoner escapes. Critics charge that Johnson views these issues only from a "benefit/cost" approach.

Romero's summary remarks


  back