VOTERS WOULD SUPPORT LEGISLATORS WHO FAVOR REDUCED DRUG SENTENCING;
SUCH LEGISLATORS NOT LABELED "SOFT ON DRUGS," ZOGBY POLL SHOWS

State legislators could generate votes by supporting reductions in
sentencing for illegal drug offenders, a Zogby New York survey reveals.

A survey of 700 likely voters throughout New York State shows that a
majority (50.7%) said they would be more likely to vote for state
legislators who favor reducing some sentences and giving judges
greater discretion to decide appropriate penalties for drug offenders.
At the same time, a combined 25.1% say they would be less likely to
vote for such legislators while 21.4% said such a position would make
no difference on how they voted.

The survey was conducted April 26 through April 28, 1999 and has a
margin of sampling error of +/- 3.8%.

An overall majority of the respondents (63.9%) said they don't
consider a legislator who supports reducing prison terms for drug
offenders "soft on drugs," while 31.1% of those surveyed say that
anyone who votes to reduce prison terms for drug offenders is indeed
"soft on drugs."

Support for a legislator who favors drug sentencing reform was
particularly strong in New York City (56.9%) and Upstate New York (51.2%).

The survey also revealed that nearly three of every four likely New
York State voters say anyone charged with simple possession of illegal
drugs should receive treatment instead of a prison sentence.

When asked: "Which comes closer to your own opinion (regarding simple
drug possession) jail/prison or treatment?" 73.8% of those surveyed
chose treatment, with 18.9% choosing jail or prison.

In specific subgroups, treatment was favored by a similar
three-fourths of the respondents from New York City and Upstate New
York, along with African-Americans, Hispanics, most age groups and
income levels, union workers, females and those who live in other
large state cities. Meanwhile the largest support among subgroups for
jail or prison terms came from 25% of the respondents who live in
suburbs and 27.3% of the respondents who identify themselves as Republican.

Statistics from the Correctional Association of New York show there
currently are more than 22,300 drug offenders in New York State
prisons and nearly 60% of all women inmates in New York State were
incarcerated for drug offenses. Statistics also show the state's
annual cost of incarcerating drug offenders is over $715 million a
year.

Further information about the survey on drug offender sentencing is
also available by contacting the Lindesmith Center at (212) 548-0383,
or the Center's website at www.lindesmith.org

Zogby International Press Release

[From The Lindesmith Center]

RE: Results for Zogby New York

The survey of 700 voters throughout New York State was conducted Monday,
April 26 through Wednesday, April 28, 1999. All calls were made from Zogby
International headquarters in Utica, New York. The poll has a margin of
sampling error of +/- 3.8%. Error margins are higher for sub-groups.

FINALLY, A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

23. New York’s drug laws are among the toughest in the country. There are
now thousands of men and women in New York’s prisons serving long sentences
for drug possession or selling small amounts of drugs. If your state
legislator were to vote in favor of a bill to reduce some sentences, and
give judges greater discretion to decide appropriate penalties, would this
make you much more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or
much less likely, to vote for him or her, or would it make no difference?

Much more likely 29.1

Somewhat more likely 21.2

Somewhat less likely 8.6

Much less likely 16.5

No difference 21.5

Not sure 2.8

Nearly 30 percent of respondents favor granting legislators and judges
greater latitude in determining penalties and sentences for drug offenders.
The strongest support comes from New York City (33%) and those who live in
large cities in general, the 50-64 age group, and college graduates.

Republicans (22.7%), the 50-64 age group and the $50-64,999 income group
were much less likely to support legislators or judges who want to reduce
penalties on drug offenders.

More than one-third (37.8%) of those in the 18-29 age bracket,
African-Americans, and the $15-$24,999 income level say it would make no
difference.

24. Many state legislatures believe that New York’s drug laws are too
strict, and result in many non-violent drug offenders serving prison
sentences longer than violent criminals. But legislators also fear being
labeled “soft on drugs” if they vote for legislation to reduce prison terms
for non-violent drug offenders. Do you think anyone who votes for reducing
prison terms for drug offenders is “soft on drugs?”

Yes 31.1

No 63.9

Not sure 5.0

A majority in every sub-group, except Hispanics, would not label a
legislator “soft” if he/she reduced prison terms. Hispanics were
evenly-divided (49.5% say no and 48.7% say yes). Those most in approval
were college graduates (71.2%) and those in the $75,000 income bracket
(79.2%).

Catholics (37%), 50-64 year-olds, and non-union workers (32.6%) were most
opposed to reducing prison terms for drug offenders.

25. Some people think anyone caught in possession of illegal drugs should
be sent to jail or prison. Others think it makes little sense to imprison
people for simple drug possession and they should receive treatment
instead. Which comes closer to your own opinion jail or prison, or treatment?

Jail or prison 18.9

Treatment 73.8

Not sure 7.2

Treatment is favored by three-quarters (76.8%) of respondents in New York
City, African-Americans, Hispanics, most age groups and income levels,
union workers, females, and those who live in large cities. The strongest
support for treatment (82.8%) comes from those in the less than $15,000
income bracket.

One-quarter of Republicans (27.3%) and suburbanites prefer jail terms.

26. Methadone (meth-ah-done) is a medication that, when properly
administered, can eliminate cravings for heroin and block its effects.
Methadone treatment is only administered through special clinics. Do you
agree or disagree that people addicted to heroin should be able to receive
methadone treatment at ordinary doctors’ and health clinic offices as well?

Agree 60.0

Disagree 30.4

Not sure 9.7

By a better than 8% margin, more Upstaters than suburbanites (64.8%-52.4%)
and Democrats than Republicans (64.2%-52.1%) agree there should be
additional methadone treatment facilities. African-Americans are closely
divided (48.9% agree-43% disagree), as are Hispanics (57.6%-37.4%).

There is very strong agreement from Jewish respondents (71.5%) and those in
the $75,000 income bracket (72.9%).

27. Would you favor or oppose a policy that allows New York physicians to
prescribe marijuana for medical purposes to seriously and terminally ill
patients, to alleviate symptoms of disease and the side effects associated
with treatments.

Favor 80.2

Oppose 16.3

Not sure 3.5

Overall, four in five (80.2%) favor a “policy that allows New York
physicians to prescribe” marijuana for medical reasons to patients, while
16.3% are opposed and 3.5% are not sure.

Independents (86.2%) are more likely than Democrats (80.8%) or Republicans
(75.9%) to favor such a policy and whites (82.1%) and Hispanics (82.5%) are
significantly more likely to favor the medical use of marijuana than are
African Americans (64.2%). Support for the measure increases with income
and decreases with age.