Mexico Drug Laws Raise Concerns

By KRWG News

El Paso – Mexico now has one of the world's most liberal laws for drug users.

Mexico has eliminated jail time for small amounts of marijuana, cocaine -- even heroin, LSD and methamphetamine.

Stunned police on the U.S. side of the border say the law contradicts President Felipe Calderon's drug war. Some fear it could make Mexico a destination for drug-fueled spring breaks and tourism.

San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne says he's concerned that now students will go to Mexico -- because they can get drugs.

The Mexican law was enacted last week.

The Associated Press reports it's part of a growing trend across Latin America to treat drug use as a public health problem -- and make room in overcrowded prisons for violent traffickers.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.