Rockefeller drug laws vanishing

For almost 40 years, the state of New York has been plagued by the draconian Rockefeller drug laws.

These laws mandate stiff prison terms for even minor drug offenses. Every once in a while, lawmakers succeed at relaxing the laws somewhat. But conservatives have prevented these laws from being completely consigned to the toilet where they belong.

Now Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders are just about to finally erase what remains of the Rockefeller drug laws.

Few will miss these laws. Except the Republicans, of course, who accuse supporters of this move of coddling criminals.

Yeah, I know, because we've all seen how well the Rockefeller drug laws and other Republican policies have worked at fighting crime. Here's a hint: They haven't worked. Not one bit.

This latest reform doesn't let drug dealers run wild by any means: Although the deal eliminates mandatory minimum prison terms, it also stiffifies punishment for drug kingpins. Even so, there'll be no more mandatory minimums for every college student who gets caught smoking a joint.

(Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/03/27/2009-03-27_end_is_near_for_rockefeller_drug_laws_go-1.html)