RETHINK DRUG LAWS? ROCKEFELLER WOULD

To the Editor:

I was heartened to read that Gov. George E. Pataki has proposed
loosening the stringent drug laws adopted during the administration of
Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller, my brother (front page, May 4).

Clyde Haberman (NYC column, April 23) pointed out the devastating
human impact of an overly harsh drug policy, especially on convicted
individuals who bear no resemblance to hardened criminals.

The reality is that we have far too many people in jail for far too
long for relatively minor offenses as a result of stringent drug laws.
Those who were not criminals before are often turned into criminals as
a result of their incarceration. Families are destroyed, creating
another dysfunctional generation. And the economic cost to society is
enormous.

In view of what was known 26 years ago, my brother Nelson, as
Governor, did indeed advocate harsh laws. However, I believe that in
light of current knowledge, my brother, who was both a realistic and a
humane leader, would today be open to a thoughtful review of the drug
policy issue. While I support Governor Pataki's proposal, I hope that
he and the Legislature will proceed on a bipartisan basis to undertake
a full and reasoned review, with the goal of reforming New York's drug
laws in a more comprehensive way.

LAURANCE S. ROCKEFELLER
New York, May 5, 1999