PRAISES GARDNER To The Editor: Attorney Charles Gardner should be congratulated for his courage in St. Lawrence County Court this week when he criticized the harsh Rockefeller Drug laws, which will give a local man a mandatory prison sentence. In the 11/28/00 article "Ogdensburg man sentenced to two to six years in prison for Coke" . Mr. Gardner was right on the mark when he stated that the Rockefeller drug laws are filling prisons with people like the Ogdensburg man, who really shouldn't be there. His statement that "the war on drugs is failing" is a fact that this nation is starting to realize. In November California voters approved a radical overhaul of the state's drug policies by passing Proposition 36. The drug law measure sends first and second time non violent drug offenders into treatment instead of prison. Governor Gary Johnson, New Mexico (R), the nations highest ranking official to openly oppose the war on drugs stated that " the war on drugs is a mind boggling failure. It is the biggest issue in the country, and it is not being addressed." It was very inspiring to see a man like Mr. Gardener stand before Judge Nicandri and condemn the states harsh drug laws. Lee Monnet, Ogdensburg, N.Y. DRUG WAR FAILURE To The Editor: Attorney Charles Gardner was right when he stated, in short, that the drug war is a failure. How much longer can the State and Federal Government ignore the destruction of our society by the war on drugs. Many of us fail to realize the impact that prisons can have on the families of these non violent drug offenders. Those brave individuals who speak out against the drug war do it because they believe our Government has created an unjust war against its' own people. It is time to change the harsh Rockefeller Drug Laws, and send first time non violent drug offender currently in prison home to their families. And most of all, we should listen to Mr. Garnder's plea and seek a sane and sensible solution to the War on Drugs. Joanne Monnet, Ogdensburg. N.Y DRUG WAR FAILURE To The Editor: I absolutely agree with Charles Gardner the drug war is a failure. Offenders of nonviolent crimes don't need prison, they need rehabilitation health care and something this area doesn't offer...gainful employment. Ask anyone who has been in prison. It's a violent place with drugs galore. Prison doesn't rehabilitate, it turns average people into cons and skilled criminals. The Rockefeller drug laws need heavy duty reform. They are as archaic as Nancy Reagan's ridiculous "Just say No" campaign, which was laughable to say the least when we all know she needed a trip to the Betty Ford Clinic for her pill popping zombie like state. The United States needs to take a look at how other countries with low crime rates approach nonviolent crimes, like Holland. As long as there is prohibition, there will be a black market. Drugs will never go away, since man has evolved he has looked for an altered state of mind, it's just human nature. We don't need more prisons, our state is filled with too many now, filled mostly with drug offenders. We need a society that thinks and faces the facts. Kelli Rentsch, Potsdam. N.Y. Comment from editor Charles. W. Kelly of Ogdensburg Journal, Advance News (NY). It followed the 3 letters. DRUG WAR NOT A FAILURE Author: Charles. W. Kelly Our friends in the pro drug use lobby have been quick to seize on former District Attorney Charles Gardner's comments in a court case this past week in which Me. Gardner reportedly said the drug laws are too tough on first time offenders. He's not the only person who feels that way. To listen to the pro drug use people, you'd think the state was filling the jails with people caught with small quantities of drugs. The facts are different. Many of these so called nonviolent drug offenders are actually drug dealers who make a tidy income selling drugs. One drug dealer recently sentenced to prison was caught with several thousand dollars and eight ounces of coke. Sending them back to their families may sound nice, but it's a sure fire way to guarantee that they'll just be spreading the addiction among more unwary children who will be out stealing to finance their drug habits and the dealers lifestyle. The drug war is not a failure, but there are days I think it is. The fight has to be continued, but the laws must be reviewed from time to time to make sure the emphasis is applied to the most effective area.
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