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Show The Salt Lake Tribune NATION Friday, August 10, 2001 AT DIOR * IOD A Turncoat in the War on Drugs? N.M.governor’s legalization stand hasn’t made him manyfriends in GOP BY JEFF ZELENY CHICAGOTRIBUNE has a daughter,22, and a son, 19. change your air highest- ~- “ PROVIDENCE, R.L — The sun had barely peaked from the horizon’s edge as the governor ofNew Mexico dashed through the sleepy downtown of this historic ocean cityon his daily early-morning run. Johnson, the 26th governor of New Mexico,isn’t a typical politician who schedules a jogat dawn merely to collect his thoughts or to be seen by ji covering the summer meeting of the National Governors Association. He’s finished ser return to water Vilsack, a trial lawyer. “He has challenged us to think of it asa public health problem.” Hlans to co-pilot a giant helium balloon on a Cross-count Some mightthink this 48-year-old governor would be a darling of the Republican Party: A Fugged, fiscally coeereative politician who has — did he launch his crusade. Almost overnight, Johnson’s approval rating cut' taxes, supported pri- vate achedva vouchers and — state government since he was first electedinpate : it doesn’t (ol drink a nm, traditionally would have who aoe dropped 11 points. Three members of his administration’s anti-drug task force resigned. Barry Mc- Caffrey, who was then the 5 nation’s drug czar, re 3 gySeleelves spenae: havetried ferred to the governor as rarely eats sugar Stopped drinking alco! more than a decade ago, Teuence circles. “Even liberal Democrats, who to paint licans as “ oP ge being pro-vice, pro-sin. Two years CHRIS “PuffDaddy Johnson.” The controversial view on drugs created bitter squabbling among top state Republicans. When a ago he voiced a plan that x eee friend of Johnson’s ran for controversy naUniversity of New Mexico professor, re-electionto lead the state tionally and in the Capitol on the governor’s push to legalize marijuana party, opponents taunted in Santa Fe. him by handing out pens in the shape of syringes. The governor wants to legalize marijuana. He also wants to ease penalMeanwhile, Democrats tavahhad field day, ties on other drugs such as heroin andcocaine. said F. Chris Garcia, a professor of political sciOna morning run here,Johnsonkept his pace ence at the University of New Mexico in between six and seven minutes a mile. All the Albuquerque. “Even liberal Democrats, whotraditionally while, he explained whyhebelieves his plan is en eeeeeS drug would have favored the position, have tried to scourge. ‘The war on drugs, he said, has been “a paint the Republicans as being pro-vice, prosin,” said Garcia. inindfailure. = During the last presidential campaign, when Even though Johnson insists he has momenW. Bush gingerly stepped around ques- tum — several minor drug reform bills passed tions about past drug use, the governor of New during thelegislative session — healso is nearnie ean as governor. Be aides Mexico grimaced. He’scareful not to criticize the ing the end ae are hyp. Bresident, but Johnsonsays politici: the drug roposals will ees oe soon by the Leste critical on the topic ofdrugs. = Minutes into his fivemile trek, Johnson So, after he finishes a 45-minute swim that frankly about his own drug use. In the served as the halftime to his morning run, the 1970s as astudentat the University of New Mex- conversation turns to his future.“I plan to climb MountEverest,”said the governor. ro, he said, he smoked lotof pot. Johnsonsaid he has never enjoyed ajob quite = There’s one more thing, he added: “T have so much as being governor of New Mexico. But Gone cocaine ona few occasions.” = When the governortalks about drugs,he said he insists he’s sworn off elected politics. Public he does not intend to glamorize, entice or set a officials, he believes, should step aside after a bad example for the young. Rather, he said, he few years in office. Still, he offers this warning aboutpoliticians ‘wants to approach the drug problem like any adwhopredict they'll never run again:“The only diction that can be prevented and treated. = “Whatkind ofmessage are we sending to kids time you can believe it for sure,” he said, “is they’re 6 feet under.” pow through hypocrisy?” asked Johnson, who wha meet Seatoc108 ape = aes rea eae eameee oe Us i ext.50082 3003 + San Toe Fair, Fashion Place or Layton 579-7300 ext. 6782 Te et. 6898 stores. MEIER & FRANK DIOR NOAGE PLUS, LITTLE LUXURIES FREE 5-PC. GIFT WITH PURCHASE DIOR NOAGE SAY NO TO AGING \ \ \ Ageproof \. Moisturizing \ Complex helps safeguard ence, stressesof gg skin against the external = ce porcererssee daily life. It we leaves skin smoother, more resilient MEIER CHARGE IT WITH MEIER & FRANK. WE ALSO WELCOME VISA VISA, AND DISCOVER FRANK ORDER ANYTIME: TOLL FREE 1-800-452-6323. THIS 1S WHERE IT GETS GOOD y \ Yehy t ' i |