SENATE GOP WOULD BOOST REHAB FOR DRUG CONVICTS

(Thursday, March 15, 2001) -- While acknowledging the state needs to
rewrite its drug-sentencing laws, Senate Republicans unveiled a $20 million
plan yesterday to expand drug-treatment programs for convicts.

The program would help up to 800 convicts a year enroll in drug-treatment
programs rather than go to prison. But a judge and a prosecutor would have
to agree. And it would be limited to people convicted of nonviolent crimes.

"This program offers drug offenders a chance to heal and recover their
lives," said Patricia McGee, R-Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, head of
the Senate Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee.

Over the past five days, Gov. George Pataki and Assembly and Senate
Democrats have unveiled plans for changing New York's Rockefeller-era drug
laws, which mandate lengthy sentences for low-level offenses.

Republicans, who control the Senate, haven't presented a plan yet this
year. But GOP leaders said the drug-treatment initiative wasn't a
substitute for Rockefeller reform, which was likely this year.

"We're recognizing that some change is necessary," said Senate Majority
Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, Rensselaer County.

The Senate plan would divide $20 million almost equally between people
already in prison and those facing prison sentences. Of that, about $3.5
million would be for job training and placement for people leaving the system.

Michael Lucas, a New York City resident and former heroin addict, said at
the news conference that many convicts need counseling rather than jail.

"I think people out there are not basically criminals, but have a
substance-abuse problem," said Lucas, who now is a drug counselor.

The state District Attorneys Association said it approved the program.

The Democrat-led Assembly said it was "a good sign" that the Senate
recognized the value of drug treatment and the need to change the drug
laws. But a key assemblyman said the houses still differ on major drug-law
issues.

"Where we disagree is they think you need the kind of harsh laws included
in Rockefeller to induce treatment," said Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry,
D-Queens, sponsor of a bill to overhaul the drug laws.