ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAWS ARE NOT FLAWED

I am writing to comment on the May 12 News article about the Rockefeller
drug laws. The article was appalling to me because it seemed to minimize
the problems that are caused by the use and sale of very potent and
addictive drugs such as cocaine, crack, heroin and methamphetamine. It also
seemed to suggest that non-violent drug offenders somehow deserve less of a
sentence than violent drug offenders and that treatment of drug addiction
is a preferable way to solve the problem, rather than relying on incarceration.

The fact that a drug offender has or has not committed a violent offense
while committing a drug offense is irrelevant. People who commit drug
offenses need to be appropriately punished. The use and sale of drugs
causes crimes such as robbery, theft, prostitution, fraud, sale of stolen
merchandise, gang violence and car theft on a daily basis right here in
Western New York. The crimes are a detriment to society and are a serious
problem. Those who are caught selling or possessing drugs need appropriate
punishment to deter them from doing so again and to keep them away from the
rest of society. Reducing jail sentences for drug offenders to save money
is not the right answer.

The article also mentioned sending drug offenders to rehabilitation
programs instead of incarcerating them. Rehab does not always work. It
requires the desire to quit and motivation to do so. It is often a short
program that puts offenders back into society long before they have
overcome their addictions and learned how to live a structured, productive
and honest lifestyle. I feel that rehab programs offered to offenders while
incarcerated are a much better idea.

Chris Hayes

Buffalo