Toxic Addiction: Proposition 36 lauded by some, blasted by others

Proposition 36 -- which sends non-violent drug offenders to treatment rather than prison -- has been lauded by some for helping drug addicts get the help they need, but blasted by others for allowing criminals to avoid punishment.

Below is a list of pros and cons given by health officials, drug counselors, university studies and law enforcement.

PROS:

• An episode of Prop. 36 treatment costs $4,500. A year of incarceration in California is more than $30,000.

• Before entering Prop. 36 treatment, 29.5 percent of participants were employed. Twelve months after treatment, 54 percent were employed.

• Without treatment, 85 percent of drug users relapse within the first year of release from prison. More than 55 percent of Prop. 36 participants were meth-free 12 months after discharge.

• Among those receiving treatment, there is a 74 percent decrease in crime.

CONS:

• Only 19 percent of Prop. 36 enrollees in Kings County finished their treatment.

• Criminals sentenced to Prop. 36 rather than jail time who don't show up for treatment can many times escape punishment for long periods of time until they are arrested for another offense.

• Drug users can be sentenced to Prop. 36 three times before they face any jail time.

(Sept. 26, 2007)