LET `BIG THREE' DO ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAWS

As a longtime student of the war on drugs, it's encouraging to me to see
Gov. George E. Pataki taking on the Rockefeller drug laws so bluntly, if
without detail, in his annual message to the Legislature.

However, given the recent history of skittishness in taking on this issue,
I'd say that if ever there were a time when Albany's proverbial "three men
in a room" were an unqualified good thing, it would be to hammer out a
stand-alone compromise on this important issue. Naturally, the resulting
compromise would fully address all significant issues of prevention,
treatment and public security associated with drug abuse.

And so, let's call upon the governor, Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to designate representatives to begin the
process of reaching that agreement and all its details immediately.

I would add a message to all the various groups that have been lobbying for
this reform: Keep their feet to the fire.

TERRY O'NEILL Albany