CHANGE DRUG LAWS, AND SEE CRIME DROP

To the Editor:

Re "Pataki Presents His Plan to Ease State Drug Laws" (front page, Jan.
18) -

Gov. George E. Pataki's proposal to revamp New York's Rockefeller-era
drug laws is an important first step in addressing the related problems
of substance abuse and crime. Mandatory sentencing prevents judges from
exercising discretion and does little to prevent recidivism.

We cannot simply arrest our way out of the problem of drug abuse and
drug-related crime. Comprehensive treatment programs that follow a
criminal from arrest to post-release follow-up must be started to end
the cycle of drug abuse and crime.

The link between drugs and crime could not be clearer. Sixty-two percent
of arrestees tested positive last year in 32 cities surveyed by the
Justice Department. Federal, state and local partnership programs
including drug courts (up to 700 from 12 in 1994) and treatment of
offenders with substance abuse problems are driving crime down.

In addition, prevention programs must be in place to educate youth about
the dangers of drugs before they become involved in the criminal justice
system. Governor Pataki and his colleagues in the Legislature are right
to seize this opportunity to be bold and innovative.

Edward H. Jurith, Acting Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Washington, Jan. 18, 2001