Pubdate: Sat, 03 Jan 2004 Source: Post-Standard, The (NY) Copyright: 2004, Syracuse Post-Standard Contact: http://www.syracuse.com/poststandard/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/686 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) WHERE'S PLAN B? Former Syracuse Auditor Minch Lewis recently joined other local and national leaders who have wisely acknowledged the need to reassess how we fight the drug problem, and he has called for alternative solutions. Lewis' report says the Syracuse Police Department is spending an inordinate amount of time and money addressing the drug problem with meager results when a change in approach would be more effective. He could be right. Lewis is a respected political figure who brings important credibility to the debate on drugs. He also asks officials to consider decriminalizing drugs. That may not be a politically acceptable solution, but Lewis deserves credit for attempting to open an honest debate on such issues. Others appear ready to join in. Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick recently endorsed the idea of reforming the Rockefeller-era drug laws. And city police Inspector Mike Kerwin also called for a statewide and national debate on drugs and the present drug laws. Lewis, forced by term limits to leave office after completing eight years in office, said he would ask the Common Council to consider alternatives such as decriminalizing the sale of illegal drugs; "harm reduction," which would provide safe and clean equipment such as needles; and treatment and prevention programs. The council and all other county and state officials would be wise to listen. At the least, they should support reform of laws that result in wasted resources, disproportionate incarceration of blacks and Latinos statewide and excessive mandatory sentences - all without denting the problem. Greater resources must be devoted to drug treatment programs, which have proven effective. Also, judges should be granted more discretion in sentencing to fairly and more effectively deal with individual cases and circumstances. Lewis said the prohibition of alcohol should have taught society that making substances illegal leads to bootlegging, violence, organized crime, robberies and homicides. Once the criminal element disappeared, Lewis noted, "the violence connected with the distribution system disappeared." Maybe that would work here, maybe not. What's more and more certain is that neither the state nor the city can afford to maintain the current approach. Reform attempts keep stalling, mostly likely because many politicians fear they will look soft on crime to their constituents if they change the system. We all must be smarter than that. It's time to stop talking tough on crime and start acting smarter on crime. Considering the voices of Lewis, Fitzpatrick and others is a start. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin