According to the State of California, no one can go to jail for possession of drugs unless they have first been given an option for treatment. The Proposition 36 drug treatment program was precisely the kind of treatment that the law intended. But that program has been whittled down considerably by extensive budget cuts. As of March 1, it will be eliminated entirely. The state simply can’t afford it.
Bill Manov of the Santa Cruz County Drug and Alcohol Program called the program’s dismantling a “tragedy. The evaluation studies conducted by UCLA showed that Prop. 36 saved taxpayers $2.50 per person for every $1 investment in treatment, and our own local data showed we were able to significantly reduce jail bookings and jail days served.” In contrast, jailing people convicted of minor drug offenses ends up costing the state far more than the program. Taxpayers end up paying $450 million for the jail time served by minor drug offenders, while the additional arrests place a strain on police officers. Even if the convicted drug users end up with probation, other budget cuts mean that there are often too few probation officers to handle the cases.
Watsonville Deputy Police Chief Rudy Escalante is a firm supporter of Prop. 36 drug treatment options. “From a law enforcement perspective,” he says, “a multifaceted approach with an accountability component and treatment and direction for some time will lead to a chance of success and to reducing recidivism.” He goes on to say that, “Not having it [Prop. 36] is going to impact everyone.” Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
