Hi there,

We need independent media more than ever. When we cover war and peace, we’re not brought to you by the weapons manufacturers. When we cover the climate catastrophe, we’re not brought to you by the oil, gas and coal companies. When we cover inequality, we’re not brought to you by the banks and other financial institutions. We’re brought to you by you, the listener, the reader and the viewer. If you want Democracy Now! to keep bringing you the stories that matter most, please donate today. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you so much!

Democracy Now!
Amy Goodman

Non-commercial news needs your support.

We rely on contributions from you, our viewers and listeners to do our work. If you visit us daily or weekly or even just once a month, now is a great time to make your monthly contribution.

Please do your part today.

Donate

New York Gov. George Pataki Urges Reform of Rockefeller Drug Laws, Drug Czar Gen. Mccaffreycontinues the War On Drugs

Listen
Media Options
Listen

This week, New York’s Republican Governor George Pataki called for the easing of New York’s Rockefeller drug laws.The laws, enacted under Gov. Nelson Rockefeller in the 1970s, are among the harshest in the nation and can bringmandatory life sentences for possession of small amounts of illicit drugs.

Meanwhile, White House drug czar General Barry McCaffrey issued his final report yesterday.

Despite calling for continued prevention, education and treatment, McCaffrey stressed the need for President-selectGeorge W. Bush to maintain the war on drugs. McCaffrey helped develop the $1.3 billion aid package for the Colombianmilitary to fight left-wing insurgents under cover of a regional drug war.

Guests:

  • Jan Warren, former inmate of 12 years, released on clemency January 2000; former president of the onlyprison chapter of the National Organization of Women.
  • Randy Credico, William Moses Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice.
  • Kevin Zeese, President, Common Sense for Drug Policy.

Related Story

StoryJun 09, 2026Why New Yorkers “Thunderously Booed” Trump at Knicks-Spurs Game: Sportswriter David Zirin
The original content of this program is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Please attribute legal copies of this work to democracynow.org. Some of the work(s) that this program incorporates, however, may be separately licensed. For further information or additional permissions, contact us.

Non-commercial news needs your support

We rely on contributions from our viewers and listeners to do our work.
Please do your part today.
Make a donation
Top