TREATMENT FUNDS FOR DRUG ADDICTS SHOULD PAY OFF

Program Keeps Non-Violent Offenders Out Of Prison

Putting non-violent drug addicts in treatment instead of prison saves
money -- and it's the humane thing to do. That's why in 2000
California voters passed Proposition 36, which mandates treatment for
most minor drug offenders.

Two years after the measure went into effect, a new report from UCLA
researchers shows voters are getting their money's worth. But while
prisons are enjoying the savings, county governments aren't getting
enough money to meet the tremendous demand for treatment. That needs
to change, and it's up to the Legislature to change it.

Pattern of success

In the first year Proposition 36 was implemented, more than 30,000
first- and second-time offenders entered the program instead of going
to prison. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, a reform
organization, that saved about $275 million.

But Proposition 36 allocated only $120 million to counties for drug
treatment, and that wasn't enough. The UCLA researchers, who are
studying the impact of Proposition 36 over the long haul, found that
counties had to shift money from other needs at a time when they could
least afford it. Some counties opted for cheaper outpatient treatment
when residential programs would have been more effective.

Without additional money, this important social experiment could
unravel. The Legislature must not let that happen. If Proposition 36
is saving the Department of Corrections money, then that savings
should be shifted to counties for treatment programs, job training and
other services for addicts.

Considering the strength of the prison lobby, that's going to be a
tough fight. So let's get started now.

Program's results studied

One strength of Proposition 36 was its emphasis on tracking results
every year. The first annual report from UCLA contained some
surprises: Proposition 36 is being applied to a lot of hard-core
long-time drug addicts, not just the casual or short-term users it was
aimed at. Treating them can be more costly.

The report also showed a side benefit: collaboration among local
agencies. Courts, cops, health-care providers, social workers and job
training agencies all are working together to help addicts succeed in
treatment. That should reduce duplication, improve efficiency and
eventually save money.

In 2000, California was locking up drug addicts at a rate 30 percent
above the national average. After Proposition 36, the state's rate
dropped 15 percent, according to the Center on Juvenile and Criminal
Justice. That in itself is a major accomplishment.

In time, with enough resources, the move toward treatment should pay
off with lower crime rates and a healthier population.