Pubdate: Sun, 03 Dec 2000
Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 2000 St. Lawrence County Newspapers Corp.
Address: P.O. Box 409, Ogdensburg, New York 13669
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Authors: Lee Monnet, Joanne Monnet, Kelli Rentsch
NOTE: Accepts LTEs by mail only! Must be signed w/phone#
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00.n1796.a05.html
Note: See commentary by editor at bottom!

PRAISES GARDNER

To The Editor:

Attorney Charles Gardner should be congratulated for his courage in St.
Lawrence County Court this week when he criticized the harsh Rockefeller
Drug laws, which will give a local man a mandatory prison sentence. In the
11/28/00 article "Ogdensburg man sentenced to two to six years in prison for
Coke" . Mr. Gardner was right on the mark when he stated that the
Rockefeller drug laws are filling prisons with people like the Ogdensburg
man, who really shouldn't be there. His statement that "the war on drugs is
failing" is a fact that this nation is starting to realize.

In November California voters approved a radical overhaul of the state's
drug policies by passing Proposition 36. The drug law measure sends first
and second time non violent drug offenders into treatment instead of prison.
Governor Gary Johnson, New Mexico (R), the nations highest ranking official
to openly oppose the war on drugs stated that " the war on drugs is a mind
boggling failure. It is the biggest issue in the country, and it is not
being addressed."

It was very inspiring to see a man like Mr. Gardener stand before Judge
Nicandri and condemn the states harsh drug laws.

Lee Monnet, Ogdensburg, N.Y.

DRUG WAR FAILURE

To The Editor:

Attorney Charles Gardner was right when he stated, in short, that the drug
war is a failure. How much longer can the State and Federal Government
ignore the destruction of our society by the war on drugs. Many of us fail
to realize the impact that prisons can have on the families of these non
violent drug offenders.

Those brave individuals who speak out against the drug war do it because
they believe our Government has created an unjust war against its' own
people. It is time to change the harsh Rockefeller Drug Laws, and send first
time non violent drug offender currently in prison home to their families.
And most of all, we should listen to Mr. Garnder's plea and seek a sane and
sensible solution to the War on Drugs.

Joanne Monnet, Ogdensburg. N.Y

DRUG WAR FAILURE

To The Editor:

I absolutely agree with Charles Gardner the drug war is a failure. Offenders
of nonviolent crimes don't need prison, they need rehabilitation health care
and something this area doesn't offer...gainful employment.

Ask anyone who has been in prison. It's a violent place with drugs galore.

Prison doesn't rehabilitate, it turns average people into cons and skilled
criminals.

The Rockefeller drug laws need heavy duty reform.  They are as archaic as
Nancy Reagan's ridiculous "Just say No" campaign, which was laughable to say
the least when we all know she needed a trip to the Betty Ford Clinic for
her pill popping zombie like state.

The United States needs to take a look at how other countries with low crime
rates approach nonviolent crimes, like Holland.  As long as there is
prohibition, there will be a black market.  Drugs will never go away, since
man has evolved he has looked for an altered state of mind, it's just human
nature.

We don't need more prisons, our state is filled with too many now, filled
mostly with drug offenders.  We need a society that thinks and faces the
facts.

Kelli Rentsch, Potsdam. N.Y.

Comment from editor Charles. W. Kelly of Ogdensburg Journal, Advance News
(NY). It followed the 3 letters.

DRUG WAR NOT A FAILURE Author: Charles. W. Kelly

Our friends in the pro drug use lobby have been quick to seize on former
District Attorney Charles Gardner's comments in a court case this past week
in which Me. Gardner reportedly said the drug laws are too tough on first
time offenders.  He's not the only person who feels that way.

To listen to the pro drug use people, you'd think the state was filling the
jails with people caught with small quantities of drugs.

The facts are different.

Many of these so called nonviolent drug offenders are actually drug dealers
who make a tidy income selling drugs.  One drug dealer recently sentenced to
prison was caught with several thousand dollars and eight ounces of coke.

Sending them back to their families may sound nice, but it's a sure fire way
to guarantee that they'll just be spreading the addiction among more unwary
children who will be out stealing to finance their drug habits and the
dealers lifestyle.

The drug war is not a failure, but there are days I think it is.  The fight
has to be continued, but the laws must be reviewed from time to time to make
sure the emphasis is applied to the most effective area.
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MAP posted-by: Don Beck