New York Gov. George Pataki's call for an overhaul of the state's Rockefeller-era drug laws stresses use of residential treatment programs. But those in the drug-treatment field fear that the proposal would send drug users to rehabilitation programs that are full or, in some cases, nonexistent in some New York counties.

"It would be great if people convicted of possession of a controlled substance had more resources available to them for treatment," said District Attorney Gerald F. Mollen, who is in charge of prosecuting the county's drug offenders. "But long-term drug treatment programs really don't exist in Broome County."

For instance, Fairview Recovery Services in Binghamton often has to refuse people in need of treatment because of lack of space. Currently, there are more than 21,000 drug inmates housed in New York's 70 prisons.

"The infrastructure is there, but if Pataki's plan pushes up demand, there will be a need to expand," said Brian Ingraham, executive director of Fairview. "There is no simple answer to the issue of rehabilitation. You can give simple answers, but they'll be relatively incomplete."

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