Pubdate: Sun, 02 Feb 2003
Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 2003 St. Lawrence County Newspapers Corp
Contact: http://www.ogd.com/letter.htm
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689
Author: Larry Seguin

DRUG LAWS

To the editor;

Gov. George E. Pataki Office of the Governor State Capitol Albany, NY 12224 
518.474.8390

As a taxpayer and voter, I'm writing to urge you to consider long overdue 
reform of the Rockefeller drug laws as a means of balancing the state 
budget. It is time to bring the curtain down on the institutionalized 
cruelty of the Rockefeller drug laws. The penalties apply without regard to 
the circumstances of the offense or the individual's character or 
background. There is no way to justify sentencing nonviolent low-level drug 
offenders to prison terms that are longer than those served by some killers 
and rapists. Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders cannot be justified 
from either a fiscal or public health perspective. Jail cells and criminal 
records do not cure addiction. Non-violent drug offenders are eventually 
released, with dismal job prospects due to criminal records. Turning drug 
users into unemployable ex-cons is a senseless waste of $770 million state 
tax dollars each year.

Former State Senator John R. Dunne, who served as chairman of the Senate 
Committee on Crime and Corrections in 1973, said he regretted his role in 
the passage of the Rockefeller laws, which he described as both ineffective 
and wasteful.

Reform the marijuana laws in New York. Both you and New York City Mayor 
Michael Bloomberg have admitted using cannabis. Its use didn't send you to 
heroin or cocaine! Nor has it effected your intelligence. All the various 
teen drug use surveys indicate states that have passed medical marijuana 
laws have not seen any increase use. Chasing cannabis users is a senseless 
waste of $1.2 billion state tax dollars each year.

Thank you for showing leadership on this issue. Budget cuts should be from 
failed social control programs not our educational programs. Put the $1 
billion back into school aid.

Larry Seguin , Lisbon
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D