Vermont may have a liberal reputation, but that doesn't necessarily extend to the mayor of the city of Barre, who says that heroin and cocaine dealers should face the death penalty, the Rutland Herald reported Feb. 25.

"People who are dealing crack and dealing heroin have zero social value and should be put to death," said Mayor Thomas Lauzon, who later added: "What social value do they have? They are dealing crack and heroin to young people, knowing full well what the effects will be. What purpose do they serve in society other than to destroy lives, to destroy families?"

At the same time, Lauzon is calling for a public forum to discuss the entire range of alternatives to the current drug war, and says he endorses legalization of marijuana. "I'm sure everyone will distance themselves from me," Lauzon said. "But if anyone tells you we're winning the war on drugs, they're lying."

Lauzon said that fees on legalized marijuana could be used to fund addiction treatment and prevention programs.

A spokesperson for Vermont Gov. James Douglas said that the governor opposes marijuana legalization. "There are some circumstances [Douglas] would support a death penalty, but I'm not sure this is among them," the spokesman said.  "Marijuana is a gateway drug for some folks, so he would not support legalization."

However, Douglas does support creating a public registry of convicted cocaine and heroin dealers.