Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jan 2001
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company
Contact:  229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
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Author: Mitchell S. Rosenthal, M.D.

REFORMING DRUG LAWS

To the Editor:

"Signs of a Drug War Thaw" (news article, Jan. 21) notes that harsh 
drug law penalties are now being relaxed because there is less crime 
and, as a result, less fear of crime.

At least as important in prompting drug law reform has been mounting 
evidence that compared with prison, treatment is a far more effective 
and far less expensive means of reducing drug-related crime. In New 
York, nonviolent offenders who complete treatment are twice as likely 
to stay out of trouble than nonviolent offenders sent to prison.

Drug law reform is long overdue. No one should be punished for using 
drugs. But society should reserve the right to punish nonviolent 
offenders whose drug use persists, who refuse treatment or who refuse 
to comply with the demands of treatment.

MITCHELL S. ROSENTHAL, M.D.
President, Phoenix House
New York, Jan. 23, 2001
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