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BURNS, OTHER SHERIFFS AT ODDS ON ALTERING DRUG LAWS

While the sheriffs of Oswego and St.  Lawrence counties are calling upon state Sen.  Darrel J.  Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, to "just say no" to weakening the so-called Rockefeller drug laws, their counterpart in Jefferson County says the current mood in Albany "is a step in the right direction."

Oswego County Sheriff Reuel A.  Todd and St.  Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M.  Wells released a joint statement Monday asserting that reducing current penalties "for major drug dealers" will result only in sending "a dangerous message to drug dealers, users and young people."

Their comments do not accurately reflect the proposed legislation, however.  The agreement as announced in Albany would repeal mandatory minimum prison sentences for "lower-level drug felons."

Jefferson County Sheriff John P.  Burns, a Democrat, noted that his Republican counterparts to the north and south did not ask him for his opinion for their press release.