cannabisnews.com: Gov. Challenges Drug Agents' Methods Gov. Challenges Drug Agents' Methods Posted by FoM on June 02, 2001 at 13:16:51 PT By Jackie Jadrnak, Journal Staff Writer Source: Albuquerque Journal Gov. Gary Johnson is taking a look at two new areas in his drug-reform efforts in New Mexico: undercover drug agents and parolees returning to prison. Johnson said Friday that he doesn't think parolees should be sent back to prison if they test positive for marijuana. As a condition of parole, many ex-convicts are required to stay off drugs and submit regular urine tests to ensure that they are clean. And Johnson said it seems as if many drug convictions occur in the first place because undercover narcotics agents are "hounding" drug users to sell them drugs. Johnson raised both issues in a conversation with reporters during a break in a national conference in Albuquerque sponsored by The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation, a group that advocates drug-law reform. He attended the first two days of the conference and was slated to be the keynote speaker for the conference's end today. On both issues Johnson raised with reporters Friday, he said he is having staffers gather information and has no specific proposals. He mentioned both issues came to his attention when members of the public came to visit him during his regular "Open Door After Four" program, when he lets anyone come in and see him for five minutes on certain days. Johnson said he has the impression that drug users are harassed by narcotics agents who ask the users to provide the agents with drugs. To get the agents off their backs, the users agree to get them the drugs they want, he said. "Then, lo and behold, they're in jail," he said. "I want to find out how many undercover drug agents we have on duty in New Mexico." Officer Beth Baland, spokeswoman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said APD narcotics agents don't "hound" people."We certainly don't create any drug transaction on our own," she said. "As far as entrapment goes, we never do that." Many people don't understand drug law enforcement and the need for agents to go undercover, dressing and talking like people in the drug culture, she said. "Our units that work in the field are very specialized in what they do; they have a good deal of experience," she said. Johnson said he doesn't know if he would be interested in reining in state law enforcement officers' techniques or whether he actually would try to reduce the number of undercover drug agents. "I won't shy away from having an impact on the problem," he said. Meanwhile, he's waiting for information to show him how many people end up back in prison because they are caught using drugs while on parole. "Do we really want to lock them back up?" he said. "Many can't stay clean out of prison. They have a habit. Is it a medical, health or criminal problem?" Treating the addiction would be more cost-effective — and more effective overall — than sending a person back to prison, he said. Johnson wouldn't commit to asking for any more money for addiction treatment in the next legislative session. He said he did get more money for treatment in this year's budget. In public comments Thursday at the conference, Johnson talked about how alcohol prohibition almost a century ago was crippled when New York refused to enforce laws against use or sale of alcohol. "Perhaps New Mexico can fulfill that role" in the prohibition against drugs, he said. In response to a reporter's question afterward, Johnson said he did not mean to suggest that New Mexico should stop enforcing current drug laws. Instead, Johnson said he is focusing on legislation to change some of those laws.Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)Author: Jackie Jadrnak, Journal Staff WriterPublished: Saturday, June 2, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque JournalContact: opinion abqjournal.comWebsite: http://www.abqjournal.com/Related Articles & Web Site:TLC - DPFhttp://www.lindesmith.org/Racial Side of Drugs Recounted http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9948.shtmlJohnson Turns To New Drug Issues http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9945.shtmlSpeakers Have Wary Words for Pot-Law Reformershttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9930.shtmlJustice Emphasized At Conference http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9929.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by The GCW on June 02, 2001 at 21:22:22 PT And Colorado has Owens! Again, I don't know if I would have the gonads to do it. But if all people in jail etc. would not sign a form to submit to a cannabis test for early release(probation & porole) from jail, there would be a quagmire, and potentialy a problem that would require a hasty way out, for the prison and jail system is already over per capitad (from what I hear). For this country to increase the amount of citizens it cages would be very embarrasing to the leaders, you would think. And there is a need to move people in and out like cattle. If it becomes difficult to move them (the political prisoners) out they(the leaders) may be forced to squirm funny.And Colorado has Owens! If enough of my dreadlock brothers and friends would simply vote, would we have a more compassionate Gov. instead of Owens. Owens (it seems)would be happy to cage cancer stricken citizens in order to get on Bush's list, or so it seems. Why else would he be interested in seperating himself from the constituents who voted 4:20? If he disregards amendment 20 does he get a cookie from Bush? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by New Mexican on June 02, 2001 at 16:04:05 PT I Luv the Guv! This man makes my day!Common sense, bravery, tell-it-like-it-is...and this man is a POLITICIAN? Where are all the others? I think Jeffers found out what integrity does for popularity, I can't wait til the rest find out about this new concept: TRUTH! Maybe it'll spread like a contagious disease. He's (Johnson) going to expose the Narco-state for what it is. Legalized thugery! Gary Johnson for Prez, Nader for vice-president. What a combo! Bush/Cheney are ridings dinosaurs into the sunset as we speak and the Narco-state is a sinking ship! Wake up Amerika, the war crimes tribunal is about to begin! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by lookinside on June 02, 2001 at 14:48:13 PT: credibility... undercover cops do go for entrapment...they have to justifytheir existence...put SOMEONE in jail...they aren't pickyeither...the average street dealer is way too smart to sell to astranger...more often it's the guy who enjoys getting highand knows where to get it that gets caught up in theseoperations...i know first hand that cops will lie if it's their wordagainst a private citizen...they know the judge will taketheir word for it...i hope gary johnson stops this evil practice, and cleans outthe police/sheriff's departments while he's at it...wedeserve HONEST law enforcement, and we don't get it... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: