Pubdate: Fri, 09 Feb 2001
Source: New York Daily News (NY)
Copyright: 2001 Daily News, L.P.
Contact:  450 W. 33rd St., New York, N.Y. 10001
Website: http://www.nydailynews.com/
Forum: http://www.nydailynews.com/manual/news/e_the_people/e_the_people.htm
Author: Deborah Peterson Small
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?140 (Rockefeller Drug Laws)

REFORM THE REFORM

Manhattan: Gov. Pataki's plan to reform the state's ineffective and 
draconian drug-sentencing laws is a good first step. Two premises on which 
the laws were based have been proven erroneous: 1) that long mandatory 
sentences would discourage drug use and trafficking, and 2) that drug 
treatment is not effective in reducing crime and recidivism.

Unfortunately, the governor's plan does not go nearly far enough and would 
not restore judicial discretion in most cases. There is no justification 
for requiring the consent of prosecutors to divert low-level, nonviolent 
drug sellers, so many of whom sell to support their own drug habits..

Drug treatment should be rehabilitative, not punitive. Progress should be 
based on accepted diagnostic evaluations administered by treatment 
providers, not prosecutors. Such an approach would enhance the likelihood 
of success and result in substantial savings to society.

Deborah Peterson Small

The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake