Drug Law Repealed In NY

At some point America needs to confront one of its other massive elephants standing in the room. That would be drugs, drug violence, drug legalization, and essentially all things about illegal drugs.

The Rockefeller laws were severe and came about with an uptake in heroin use in the 70's. Most of us knew several junkies back then, we are talking white and black people. Back then, heroin had made its way into the white suburban middle class high school and college population. All I can say is, heroin is beyond aggressive in how it reacts with the body.

These laws were regressive. Drug treatment is superior to imprisonment for many, and I personally know several people who have benefited greatly from drug rehab programs. I suspect we all know someone in that position.

NYT: Albany Reaches Deal to Repeal ’70s Drug Laws

The deal would repeal many of the mandatory minimum prison sentences now in place for lower-level drug felons, giving judges the authority to send first-time nonviolent offenders to treatment instead of prison.

The plan would also expand drug treatment programs and widen the reach of drug courts at a cost of at least $50 million.