Drug abuse, reading are top priorities for Nevada's new first lady

Nevada's new first lady says she wants to tackle drug abuse and encourage more children to read while her husband is in office.

Dawn Gibbons, whose husband, Jim Gibbons, was sworn-in as governor Monday, says she intends to become what she called a "21st-century first lady."

The former state assemblywoman said she'll focus her efforts on Nevada's growing methamphetamine problem and plans to testify at the Legislature to advocate for drug addiction programs.

"Nevada is No. 1 in the nation for people who have used or currently use meth," said Gibbons. "It is not a statistic we want. Jim is going to declare war on meth."

Gibbons, 52, also says she will turn part of the Nevada Stateroom, a building next to the mansion, into a small library. Good students who read a lot of books will be honored, photographed and allowed to choose a book from the shelves as a keepsake.

Gibbons served four terms in the Legislature, and in 2003 was one of the five Republican Assembly members who voted for the record $833 million tax increase.

Last summer she was defeated by Dean Heller and Sharron Angle in the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District seat, which Heller eventually won.

Gibbons said her experience in Nevada politics has helped her develop relationships with Democrats in the Legislature. She called incoming Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, "a really good friend," and anticipates she can help her husband in dealing with lawmakers because she knows them well.

"I don't need to be political, but I am in a position to help people. People will tell me things, confide in me. I can be the bleeding heart."

Gibbons said she wants to frequently invite legislators to the mansion for dinners and informal discussions with her husband. But those dinners will be dry, she said.

The new first lady, a Presbyterian, plans to impose a no-alcohol rule for mansion parties, gatherings and all events sponsored by the governor and his office, she said.