BajaNews
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Leaders debate plan to legalize drugs in Mexico - again
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20061018-9...
By Sandra Dibble
October 18, 2006
TIJUANA – A former governor's proposal that drugs be legalized in Mexico has set off a sharp debate in this region plagued by drug-related violence.
In the days since Ernesto Ruffo Appel brought up the subject at a business forum in Mexicali, it has drawn the attention of political, civic and
religious leaders across the state.
“If someone wants to prick their veins, let them do so,” Ruffo, a member of the National Action Party, or PAN, said on Friday. “But they should no
longer be allowed to drag down governments.”
The issue of legalizing or decriminalizing drugs has come amid a growing outcry against violence in Baja California, much of it related to drug
trafficking. On Saturday, the Citizens Front for Security is expected to begin a 16-day march through the state to bring attention to the region's
crime problems.
One of the march's leaders, Alberto Capella Ibarra, said yesterday that he would back a proposal to decriminalize drugs.
“It seems that Mr. Ruffo is correct, on an issue that has become politically very difficult for many leaders,” said Capella, president of Baja
California's Citizens' Advisory Committee on Public Safety.
Capella said suspects arrested with small amounts of drugs for personal use are routinely released by federal prosecutors, who investigate
drug-related crimes. “In the strict sense, drugs are already legalized,” Capella said.
Baja California for years has been a transit point for drugs being smuggled into the United States. Drug abuse has steadily increased, and leaders say
that tighter U.S. border security has meant more drugs in the streets of border cities. Tijuana Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon estimates that his city has
100,000 drug addicts.
Ruffo's proposal hit a nerve, and many are opposing it, including Baja California Gov. Eugenio Elorduy and Tijuana Roman Catholic Bishop Rafael Romo
Muñoz. During a stop in Tijuana yesterday, Elorduy, who is also a PAN member, said drug prevention programs in schools and rehabilitation programs are
the appropriate way to combat drug abuse.
“They are the path to preventing people from falling and becoming victims,” Elorduy said.
Ruffo acknowledged that his proposal is controversial and that it won't be easy to legalize or decriminalize drugs in Mexico; any proposal would have
to be embraced by state and federal legislatures.
Ruffo, now in private business, said nobody paid much attention when he first brought up the idea in 1993, while he was governor. But the idea
received much attention when he spontaneously suggested it last week as he responded to a question about kidnappings.
“Thirteen years have passed, and the situation has continued to deteriorate . . . and affected many families that have nothing to do with drugs,”
Ruffo said. “We're at a point where nobody's doing anything . . . illegal drugs have created a monster.”
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Cypress
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Legalize 'em! Why not? Flood the market. Would put a lot of bad guys out of
business. Supply and demand! If something is in abundance the value and demand is
reduced.
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Martyman
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Amsterdam West???
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QuePasaBaja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Legalize 'em! Why not? Flood the market. Would put a lot of bad guys out of
business. Supply and demand! If something is in abundance the value and demand is
reduced. |
I think that this would create more problems than there already are.
More small time dealers getting killed for being on the wrong corner.
Have a Baja Day
QuePasaBaja
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Packoderm
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"More small time dealers getting killed for being on the wrong corner."
If drugs are legalized, it would probably occur at about the same rate as bootleggers and moonshiners being killed in the U.S. since the repeal of
prohibition. I've never been to Amsterdam. Has its decriminalized drugs turned it into a bad place, or is it still pleasent?
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Al G
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What the hell, I say go for it, after all it will only be the people who know it all, "30 something's" children lives that will be forfeited.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Cypress
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Legalized drugs would take a burden off the legal system. Increased
killing? Not likely. Would be like killing someone over a beer.
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Al G
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Legalized drugs would take a burden off the legal system. Increased
killing? Not likely. Would be like killing someone over a beer. |
Cypress...Let us just say we disagree, but do you have any ideal how many drug death there are every year?? are you so naive to believe that making it
easy and cheap to get would stop the young and dumb from over dosing. Shame on you for not caring about your children. 
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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