ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The weekend arrests of a prominent judge and a state education leader on drug charges prompted Gov. Bill Richardson to promise redoubled efforts to stamp out the "scourges" of drugs and alcohol.

Judge John Brennan, chief judge of state district court in Albuquerque, and Patricia Mattioli, head of the state Commission on Higher Education's Gear-Up program, were arrested on drug possession charges early Saturday after Brennan allegedly tried to elude officers conducting a DWI checkpoint.

"This incident shows the pervasiveness of the DWI and drug problem that exists today," Richardson said in a statement released by his office Sunday. "We must deal with these problems aggressively, regardless of the status of any individual."

Police said Brennan, 57, appeared to be "extremely intoxicated" when he was pulled over just after midnight. Officers found what they believed to be cocaine in his vehicle.

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The arrests were the latest DWI cases involving public officials in New Mexico. State Rep. Joe Thompson and Espanola Associate Superintendent of Schools Arthur Salazar have both pleaded guilty to drunken driving charges in the past year.

Richardson said he was "deeply disappointed and disturbed" by the latest case.

"This incident will only redouble my efforts to deal with the DWI and drug scourges in our state in the next legislative session," he said.

"On a personal level, I am deeply saddened by this tragedy because I consider Judge Brennan and Patricia Mattioli not just colleagues but friends as well," he said.

Brennan, who also was charged with evidence tampering, was released Saturday on his own recognizance. A charge of drunken driving was pending results of a blood-alcohol test. His passenger, Mattioli, 43, was released Saturday after posting a $2,500 bond.

Brennan said he was taking an immediate leave of absence. State Commission on Higher Education executive director Letitia Chambers said Mattioli also would be on administrative leave until the case is resolved.

On Saturday, Brennan's lawyer, Timothy Padilla, issued a statement from Brennan apologizing "to his family, friends, fellow ju