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