SwiftVets.com

[SBD]

Mayor: Mexico drug measure 'appallingly stupid'

SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES

5:25 p.m. April 28, 2006

SAN DIEGO – San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders Friday called a bill passed by Mexico's Congress decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin for personal use “appallingly stupid.”
“I want to call this action what it is – appallingly stupid, reckless and incredibly dangerous,” Sanders said.

The bill was passed by Mexico's Senate on a 53-26 vote and President Vicente Fox has indicated he will sign it into law.

People in possession of up to five grams of marijuana, half a gram of cocaine or 25 milligrams of heroin would no longer be subject to punishment under the proposed legislation.

It would also allow the possession of small amounts of LSD, MDA, ecstasy and methamphetamine, officials said.

“If enacted, even the most reasonable person will have room to question Mexico's commitment to the war on drugs,” the former police chief turned mayor said. “I think many, including myself, will view this as a hostile action by a longtime ally to the United States.”

Mexican officials have suggested the legislation would help free up law enforcement resources to take on the large drug traffickers and cartels.

Sanders said he has written to Fox to try and “encourage” him not to enact the legislation, and called the White House to voice his concerns.

“This is not an action I greet warmly as the mayor of the largest American city on the border,” Sanders said.

Sanders was joined by a contingency of local law enforcement, health and elected officials at City Hall late Friday afternoon to voice their opposition to the proposed Mexican drug policy.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis called the bill a “critical mistake.”

“For us here in San Diego, we are a global community with Tijuana and Baja California,” Dumanis said. “There may be a border, but really our lives are intertwined. Now more addicts will pour into our streets.”

San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne said Mexico's decision will lead to increased crime rates in the city.

Lansdowne argued that users and addicts are now going to enter Mexico for drugs and then come back across the border under the influence.

“They are the ones most prone to commit acts of violence,” Lansdowne said.

Sanders said the bill could “not come at a worse time” for Mexicans during the national debate over immigration.

“I think it completely changes the arguments that are being talked about by the different sides,” Sanders said. “I think this is going to stiffen the issues. I think that it's going to be necessary to have a much more secure border.”

Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060428-1725-sanders-mexico.html