Post by Queen of the Damned on Apr 4, 2009 21:43:12 GMT -5
Drug Treatment, Not Prison
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Published: April 4, 2009
To the Editor:
Re “Albany Reaches Deal to Repeal ’70s Drug Laws” (front page, March 26):
The agreement between Gov. David A. Paterson and state legislative leaders to dismantle the Rockefeller drug laws is long awaited.
The laws’ enforcement of mandatory minimum sentencing — even for first-time low-level offenders — squandered the opportunity to link individuals with substance abuse issues to effective treatment.
The proposed plan’s expansion of access to substance abuse treatment for first-time nonviolent offenders will help prevent people from entering a revolving door between substance abuse and the criminal justice system.
We applaud the governor’s focus on treatment, rather than punishment, to end the cycle of addiction.
James R. Knickman
President and Chief Executive
New York State Health Foundation
New York, March 26, 2009
www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/opinion/lweb05druglaw.html
* Sign In to E-Mail
Article Tools Sponsored By
Published: April 4, 2009
To the Editor:
Re “Albany Reaches Deal to Repeal ’70s Drug Laws” (front page, March 26):
The agreement between Gov. David A. Paterson and state legislative leaders to dismantle the Rockefeller drug laws is long awaited.
The laws’ enforcement of mandatory minimum sentencing — even for first-time low-level offenders — squandered the opportunity to link individuals with substance abuse issues to effective treatment.
The proposed plan’s expansion of access to substance abuse treatment for first-time nonviolent offenders will help prevent people from entering a revolving door between substance abuse and the criminal justice system.
We applaud the governor’s focus on treatment, rather than punishment, to end the cycle of addiction.
James R. Knickman
President and Chief Executive
New York State Health Foundation
New York, March 26, 2009
www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/opinion/lweb05druglaw.html
