Pubdate: Mon, 07 May 2001
Source: Times Union (NY)
Copyright: 2001 Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation
Contact:  http://www.timesunion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/452
Author: John R. Dunne
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?140 (Rockefeller Drug Laws)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mccaffrey.htm (McCaffrey, Barry)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n740/a03.html

GIVE JUDGES MORE DISCRETION IN DRUG CASES

Your article, "Rockefeller laws decried by ex-drug czar'' (April 25), 
documented the remarks of former U.S. drug czar Gen. Barry McCaffrey 
at a recent news conference at which he expressed his conviction that 
treatment and prevention, not incarceration, are the way to address 
drug addiction and crime in our communities.

Though not reported, he also urged another key element of any drug 
law reform -- restoration of sentencing discretion to judges. He 
stated, "We want power in the hands of judges. We don't want DAs and 
investigating officers to exercise unilateral authority over who goes 
into treatment and who goes to prison. This is the job of judges.'' 
That's why he endorsed the Assembly proposal that would give judges 
more discretion to sentence a wider group of individuals to 
alternatives to prison with the promise of reduced recidivism and 
saved lives.

As McCaffrey stated, the Rockefeller Drug Laws are a "relic'' and an 
antiquated solution to the drug problem in New York. I hope Gov. 
George Pataki will have the political will to make history this year 
by spearheading true bipartisan legislation that brings fairness back 
to our courtroom as well as safety to our communities.

JOHN R. DUNNE
Chair
Campaign for Effective Criminal Justice
Albany
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe