White Plains CitizeNetReporter - Bradley Criticises Matusow's Position on Rockefeller Drug Laws

WPCNR Afternoon Tribune. From Greg Brennan, of Adam Bradley's Press Office.June 19, 2002.On the steps of the White Plains City Court building today, Adam Bradley, candidate for State Assembly in the 89th District, criticized his opponent, Assemblywoman Naomi Matusow, for her vote the other night opposing reform of the Rockefeller drug laws.

Bradley voiced concern over Matusow’s failure to support reform of a set of what he described as, out-dated, draconian drug laws that severely punish and often incarcerate first time, non-violent drug offenders instead of offering them access to treatment. According to Bradley, the current reforms provide for drug courts, which have been successful in other states, as well as training for judges who handle drug related offenses.

At the press conference, Bradley stressed the need for lawmakers to show their support for treatment and rehabilitation options over incarceration for first time non-violent drug offenders. According to Bradley, the Rockefeller drug laws have been costly in terms of wrecked young lives, families and tax dollars wasted.

Bradley expressed dismay over Ms. Matusow’s refusal to support reform of these laws and called on her to re-consider her position and join other Democratic Westchester State Assembly Members and many criminal law experts in supporting reform of these laws.

In reiterating the need to reform the Rockefeller drug laws, Bradley voiced support for many of the measures which his opponent just voted against. They include:

• Treatment and rehabilitation over incarceration for first time, non-violent drug offenders.
• Drug courts for first time, non-violent offenders.
• Training for judges in handling drug offenses.
• Accountability and responsibility in rehabilitation programs and tough measures for those who do not comply with the terms of their rehabilitation.
• Effective rehabilitation measures for first time, non-violent drug offenders, which save tax dollars.

Bradley indicated his concern that incarceration of first time non-violent drug offenders is vastly more costly to tax payers than rehabilitation programs.

Bradley closed his press conference by voicing his disappointment with his opponent’s position and called on her to re-consider her opposition to the recent Assembly Bill reforming the Rockefeller drug laws. He also stated that the Bradley campaign intends to show continued leadership, not only on this issue, but on a host of other issues affecting the 89th Assembly District.

Bradley was joined, and received the support of several members of the White Plains City Council: Council President Ben Boykin, Councilman Glenn Hockley and Councilwoman Rita Malmud and Criminal Law Professor Audrey Rogers of Pace University School of Law.


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