DRUG LAW 'FAVORED' SENATOR

ALBANY -- A state senator from Manhattan offered himself Wednesday as an
example of why the state's drug laws are unfair and need to be reformed.

Sen. Thomas Duane, a Democrat, said he used drugs, mainly marijuana, but
never got caught because the state's laws and prosecution system are tilted
in favor of white, middle-class people.

Duane was joined by Senate Democrats and advocates pushing for repeal of
drug laws enacted in 1973 under former Gov. Nelson Rockefeller that require
lengthy prison sentences for many drug crimes.

It's not clear whether renewed talks between Assembly Democrats and Gov.
George Pataki, the two main players in the debate, will produce an
agreement before the scheduled end of the legislative session on June 19.