Pubdate: Wed, 01 Apr 2009
Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY)
Copyright: 2009 Watertown Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/792
Author: David Shampine, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?140 (Rockefeller Drug Laws)

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.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin