Taking the lead for drug reform
At his State of the State address last week, Governor David Paterson said, “Since I got here in 1985, I can’t think of a criminal justice strategy that has been more unsuccessful than the Rockefeller Drug Laws.” Well so far Patterson and the rest of our elected officials here in New York have done almost nothing to remedy that situation.
The RDL’s are still in place, though modified to remove some of the most egregious sentencing provisions. The state continues to spend billions of dollars in its failed attempt to rid itself of illegal drugs at a time when money is truly scarce. There are several efforts to at least begin a dialogue about alternatives to the current system; hopefully these will provide the necessary impetus and cover our legislators seem to need to take action.
First is the conference entitled New Directions for New York: A Public Health and Safety Approach to Drug Policy to be held at the New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue in New York City. The conference will kick off Thursday evening with a lively roundtable discussion with a range of speakers: music mogul Russell Simmons; Cheri O’Donoghue, whose son was incarcerated under the Rockefeller Drug Laws; Brooklyn Assistant DA Anne Swern; Dr. Monica Sweeney, Assistant Commissioner of New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene; Ethan Nadelmann; Donald MacPherson, Drug Policy Coordinator, City of Vancouver; and many others.
Thursday Evening, January 22, the Plenary Event will be held and is open to the public, Friday, January 23 there will be an all-day Conference.
RECONSIDER is proud to join the Drug Policy Alliance and others in partnering to offer this conference whose aim is to explore a public health approach to drug policy to replace current policies rooted in the criminal justice system. If you want to attend or find out more about this exciting event click on the link above … The event is open to the public but seating is limited so get on it now!
In addition to the New Directions conference the Bar Association of the City of New York’ Committee on Drugs & the Law is planning some important events along the same lines. Following the release of an important document from the Bar expected in February, there will be a panel of nationally renowned experts convened to examine the law that lies at the heart of America’s drug policy, the Controlled Substances Act. More on those developments as they happen.
Since our legislators have been afraid to take the lead in drug policy reform organizations such as the Drug Policy Alliance, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Bar Association of the City of New York have stepped up to the plate. Let’s hope the politicians will take their places in the batting order.
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