TIME TO CHANGE OLD DRUG LAWS

The so-called Rockefeller-era drug laws, which require long prison
sentences for possession and sale of small amounts of narcotics in New York
state, have done little good. The laws fail to provide drug users with
proper rehabilitation, which is what they need, and the laws clog the court
and prison systems with defendants.

Reformation of the drug laws is long overdue. Last week, Gov. George Pataki
proposed a reasonable overhaul of the Rockefeller drug laws. Hopefully, the
Republicans and Democrats can set aside political bickering and reach an
agreement on the changes.

If Pataki's proposal were to become law, hundreds of nonviolent offenders
would be released from prison and thousands of others would have their
sentences reduced, the Republican governor says. The proposal would offer
retroactive relief for nonviolent offenders in prison and toughen penalties
for "violent and predatory drug dealers," according to a statement from Pataki.

The proposal, which would change the sentencing structure, would toughen
penalties for dealers who use guns, sell drugs to children or use the
Internet to sell drugs. We applaud this part of the proposal because law
enforcement and the courts should target the violent, ruthless dealers.
These offenders deserve no mercy.

Nonviolent drug offenders, however, often struggle with addictions, harming
no one but themselves. They deserve treatment, not stiff prison terms.

Under Pataki's proposal, first-time felons could receive nearly a 50
percent reduction in sentencing. The proposal also would make all
nonviolent felons eligible for a reduction in prison time through lower
sentences and credit for good behavior in prison.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver expressed concerns about the proposal.

Among them, he said the law should include a provision for drug
rehabilitation instead of prison and should give judges greater discretion
in sentencing.

The differences among the two sides appear minor. We see no legitimate
reason why they can't work out a compromise without delay and adopt prudent
legislation.