Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jan 2001
Source: Watertown Daily Times ( NY)
Contact:  2001Watertown Daily Times
Postal Address: 260 Washington Street  Watertown , New York 13601-3364
Fax: 315-782-1040
Website: http://www.wdt.net
Author: Larry Seguin

REFORM DRUG LAWS

To The Editor:

Gov. Pataki is proposing changes in the harsh Rockefeller Drug Laws. Both 
Democrats and Republicans support the change. Now we have an opportunity to 
learn the truth about illegal drugs.

The truth is that the majority of the 21,000 drug offenders in prison are 
not there because of drug 'abuse'. They are there because of drug 'use' and 
/ or the 'money' created by the black market because they are illegal.

That should open the door to serious consideration to legalizing and 
regulating them the same as alcohol and tobacco.

Another benefit would be changes in drug testing. Thousands of workers in 
New York lose their jobs every year because of what they do at home on 
their personal and private time, not because they are under the influence 
at work.

Since 1996, 17 of 19 drug policy reform initiatives have passed in other 
states, it's long pass due in  New York. We have had enough of the war on ' 
certain' drugs.

Larry Seguin
Lisbon, N Y
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