PRAISES PATAKI

Dear Editor;

It was a pleasant surprise to read the Ogdensburg Journal s January 4, 2001
article "Pataki Urges Drug Law Reform". Finally a prominent New York
politician has admitted the Rockefeller Drug Laws are "out of step with
both the times and the complexities of drug addiction". A person found
guilty under the current drug laws can face a sentence longer than someone
convicted of second degree murder, rape, or child molestation.

I wonder if the editor of the Ogdensburg Journal will label Governor Pataki
a pro drug use person as he has members of the group ReconsiDer: A forum on
drug policy.

Over the past few years members of ReconsiDer have been labeled "pro drug
use people" by the editor for their stance against the draconian drug laws
and, most recently when ReconsiDer members praised Attorney Charlie Gardner
for speaking out against the laws in St. Lawrence County Court.

Governor Pataki joins a growing number of prominent people who realize the
war on drugs is a dismal failure. People like Governor Gary Johnson (R) New
Mexico, Governor Jesse Ventura (I) Minnesota, League of Women Voters, and
the Catholic Conference.

This is a progressive step for the State of New York and its been a long
time coming.

Lee Monnet Ogdensburg, NY

REFORM DRUG LAWS

Dear Editor;

Congratulations to Governor Pataki for promising to introduce legislation
to "dramatically reform New York's Rockefeller Drug Laws". In the January
4, 2001 article " Pataki urges drug law reform". Governor Pataki joins a
growing number of people who are critical of the harsh drug laws, the
League of Women Voters, The Catholic Conference, and even some of the
conservative republicans who helped draft the drug laws.

Over the last few years ReconsiDer: A forum on drug policy has been seeking
local discussion on the failure of these laws only to be criticized by the
Ogdensburg Journal and some city and county legislators. Now that Governor
Pataki has made his views public we hope that an open and civil discussion
might be possible with our local representatives.

Joanne Monnet Ogdensburg, NY