Coalition Wants New York Drug Law Repealed

REUTERS ^

[WaveThatFlag]

Politicians, civil rights groups and rappers on Thursday demanded the repeal of laws in New York that impose mandatory stiff prison terms for possession or sales of small amounts of illegal drugs.

'It makes no sense to keep drug offenders behind bars when the state has an $11 billion deficit,' former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo said at an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the drug laws.

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Cuomo, who sought the Democratic nomination for governor in the last election, said it costs taxpayers $610 million a year to hold some 22,000 non-violent drug offenders in prison.

Known as the 'Rockefeller' drug laws, they were enacted in 1973 when Nelson Rockefeller, a Republican, was governor. In general, the laws require judges to impose a sentence of 15 years to life in prison for anyone convicted of selling two ounces, or possessing four ounces, of an illegal narcotic such as cocaine or heroin.

Critics of the laws say many of those convicted would be better off in rehabilitation facilities -- an option they say is cheaper and more productive than prison.

'We want to create an awareness campaign so that people know that the law has to be repealed,' said Russell Simmons, chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.

The coalition called on Gov. George Pataki to repeal the laws -- a notion that has garnered broad support in New York from Republicans as well as Democrats for years.

But despite that backing, the issue is a political hot potato because no politician wants to be seen as soft on crime. Also, prisons are a boon to many local economies across the state and a repeal of the law would mean fewer prisons.

Another obstacle is the political clout of the state's 62 district attorneys, who oppose major changes to the laws.

Hundreds of mothers carried placards detailing their sons' incarceration and joined a march on Pataki's mid-town office.

Rev. Al Sharpton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, said, 'This is not about decriminalizing drugs but non-violent offenders should not be given life sentences for minor offenses.'

Black and Latino leaders call the law discriminatory because 94 percent of those sentenced under the statutes come from their communities despite the fact that drug use is in the same proportions across racial and ethnic lines.

[finnman69]

LOL, lack of evidence....go ride the subway or walk down my ole upper east side neighborhood where the drug dealers have been driven away from.

[MrLeRoy]

Which policy is most likely to reduce drug sales in parks: 'illegal in the park but legal elsewhere' or 'illegal everywhere'?

That's easy. Illegal everywhere.

Wrong. Change "drugs" to "guns" and see if you get the same answer.

[MrLeRoy]

go ride the subway or walk down my ole upper east side neighborhood where the drug dealers have been driven away from.

Relegalization would have had the same effect.

[WaveThatFlag]

No reply?

I thought I made myself clear: I am not interested in having a meaningful conversation with you. Only in mocking your ignorance and wasting your time. You have no practical experience with the devestation caused by drugs, yet opine from a position of authority. Most libertarians are goofy. You are ridiculous.

[MrLeRoy]

The "baby" (reducing self-inflicted harms) is none of the government's business, and there's no way to get rid of the bathwater yet keep the baby---intrinsic to criminalization of drugs are the following observed effects: deaths of innocents in drug-turf wars; deaths of users due to impurities or unexpectedly high potencies; enrichment of criminals; corruption of the justice system by enriched criminals; and lessened respect for the law in general.

[WaveThatFlag]

Why is it that someone who professes to have zero experience with drugs/drug users wastes such an inordinate amount of time on the legalization question? You need a hobby.

[finnman69]

This is the poster child for Libertarians.

No wonder you can't have a real conversation with them.

[MrLeRoy]

Why is it that someone who professes to have zero experience with drugs/drug users wastes such an inordinate amount of time on the legalization question? You need a hobby.

Thanks for the ad hominem. I'll add it to my collection.

[unixfox]

'It makes no sense to keep drug offenders behind bars when the state has an $11 billion deficit,'

I guess it makes sense when they HAVE the money?

[thepitts]

You still suck.

[presidio9]

Thanks for the ad hominem. I'll add it to my collection.

What a naive daydreamer you are.

Go WTF!

[unixfox]

Most libertarians are goofy

Maybe you should stop throwing stones in glass houses, your going to cut yourself to pieces.

[WaveThatFlag]

Thanks for the ad hominem. I'll add it to my collection.

Talk to the hand...

[WaveThatFlag]

At least Bill has some personality. And other interests besides legalized drugs. Legalized drugs appears to be the only thing Leroy is interested. Its really pretty pathetic.

[WaveThatFlag]

Hey fool! You ready for another beating?

[WaveThatFlag]

Most libertarians are goofy Correction: "Unixfox is goofy."

[bmwcyle]

2 Peter 3

16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

The Bible contains many warnings about using Scriptures to suit yourself. It is one of those big warnings. You have been warned for your own good. I suggest you not reply to me but read and understand. Then say a pray for forgiveness. You do have the choice to continue your ignorant and unstable behavior.

[unixfox]

And your how old?

[WaveThatFlag]

I'm old enough to know that legalized drugs is a childish fantasy. Proponents of that fantasy will be dealt with accordingly.

[MrLeRoy]

You still suck.

The moderator has requested that personal attacks be taken to the Smokey Backroom.