David Paterson on Drugs

Democratic Governor (NY)

Rockefeller Drug Laws have failed badly

We must address strategies that are not working. Few public safety initiatives have failed as badly and for as long as the Rockefeller Drug Laws. These laws did not work when I was elected Senator in 1985, and they do not work today.

We enacted modest reforms to the Rockefeller Drug Laws in 2004. Yet these reforms still did not go far enough to expand the availability of drug treatment programs, allow judges to order low-level offenders into mandatory treatment, and assure that prisons are used for the most serious drug offenders.

At the end of this month, the New York State Commission on Sentencing Reform will deliver its report. I look forward to reviewing the Commission's recommendations in partnership with the members of the Legislature. Together, we should move forward to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws--and institute a smart, safe and effective approach that keeps drugs off our streets.

Source: 2009 State of the State address to NY legislature Jan 7, 2009

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Page last updated: Jan 29, 2009