Speaker Silver (center) held a Capitol news conference to announce the passage of the Assemblys Rockefeller
Drug Law reform legislation. The bill returns judicial sentencing discretion, providing rehabilitation programs for non-violent drug
offenders as an alternative to incarceration.
(Center) Assembly Corrections Committee Chair Jeffrion Aubry, the bills sponsor and a long-time advocate for
the Reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, told reporters the Assembly’s bill would end mandatory sentencing maximums
because they were and are ineffective in the war on drugs. Aubry said drug rehabilitation works and there are studies to prove
it.
Father Peter Young, who operates drug rehabilitation centers throughout the state, attested to the effectiveness
of treating drug addiction as a disease and its ability to transform people into drug-free, productive, taxpaying citizens. At
Father Young’s side (from left) are Assembly members Helene Weinstein and Grace Meng and Speaker Silver.
Silver (center) holds news conference at the Eleanor Young Center, an Albany alcohol and drug treatment
outpatient program founded by Father Peter Young (center right), to call for reform of the Rockefeller Drug Law. The Speaker
was joined by Assembly Correction Committee Chair Jeffrion Aubry; Codes Committee Chair Joseph Lentol; Majority Leader
Ron Canestrari; Judiciary Committee Chair Helene Weinstein; and Assemblyman Jack McEneny.
Prior to the news conference, Silver, Father Young and the Assembly committee chairs spoke with program
directors about their experience with successfully turning substance abusers into successful taxpayers.
Speaker Silver, flanked by Rockefeller Drug Law reform bill sponsors Jeffrion Aubry, and Judiciary Committee
Chair Helene Weinstein talk with Father Peter Young about his highly successful drug treatment program. Young’s facilities
across the state serve 4,000 people daily, helping former addicts and substance abusers become productive taxpayers
through treatment, affordable housing and employment programs.
Silver and the Assembly delegation toured the facility with Father Young, CEO of Peter Young Housing,
Industries and Treatment, and Sister Phyliss Herbert, who heads up Honor Court where clients receive drug counseling and
vocational training services.
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Speaker Silver (center) held a Capitol news conference to announce the passage of the Assemblys Rockefeller
Drug Law reform legislation. The bill returns judicial sentencing discretion, providing rehabilitation programs for non-violent drug
offenders as an alternative to incarceration.