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Article: U.S. critics try to smoke out clarity on Mexican drug bill.
- Article from:
- Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL)
- Article date:
- May 3, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Chicago Tribune. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Hugh Dellios
May 3--MEXICO CITY -- President Vicente Fox's government scrambled Tuesday to defend and explain a proposed law that U.S. officials and others fear could send a message that Mexico is softening its stance against drugs.
The legislation, passed last week by the Mexican Congress, designates small quantities of heroin, cocaine and other narcotics that drug addicts and other "consumers" can use without being prosecuted as criminals.
Mexican officials denied Tuesday that the bill is aimed at decriminalizing narcotics. They said it is part of a larger attempt to give local police the ability to battle drug dealers without filling ...