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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)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

taxpayer wrote on Sep 26, 2007 11:51 AM:

" Now figure the costs of the 9 or 10 times this " lucky" person on Prop 36 gets arrested, goes to the ER Room and the amount of money the steal and I bet its well over the savings. Every person on Prop 36 knows they can get arrested many-many times prior to a jail stint. unless the are arrested on a non drug relatated crime. ie; drunk in public, theft, murder, robbery, it is just a temp. fix to a bad problem. I thnk the justice system in Texas had it right on, tents and sandwichs, "

EX ADDICT wrote on Sep 26, 2007 1:17 PM:

" I WENT THROUGH PROP 36 AND IT IS THE ONLY PROGRAM THAT I MADE IT THROUGH COMPLETELY. THE PEOPLE I WAS IN CLASS WITH WERE JUST LIKE ME TRYING TO GET CLEAN BUT NOT REALLY KNOWING HOW . I HAVE BEEN CLEAN FOR 7 YEARS NOW AND HAVE A GREAT LIFE. SO UNLESS YO HAVE BEEN THERE DONT JUDGE ALL METH ADDICTS BY A FEW THERE ARE SOME OF US THAT DID GET CLEAN AND HAVE STAYED CLEAN FOR A BETTER LIFE. "

what a joke wrote on Sep 26, 2007 11:35 PM:

" I think the statistics in "Pros" are padded. I have seen many people go through prop 36 and they only stay clean until the program is over. Then its back to using dope. 55% being clean 12 months later, no way. If you want to know the truth, talk to the people on the front line who constantly see repeat offenders. if getting clean from meth was so wasy, why do we have such a huge problem. Prop 36 is a joke. Lets go back to 90 days in jail for being high. at least they cant use while in jail. "

EX ADDICT wrote on Sep 27, 2007 11:54 AM:

" TO WHAT A JOKE maybe you enjoy using our tax dollors to let people sit in jail. i do not what is sitting in jail doing for them the drugs are just as bad inside as it is outside. how can you say prop 36 is a joke unless you have went through it . yes some people dont make it through the program but there are sucess stories out there but with peolple like you and your attitude its not likely that you will ever understand "

to ex addict wrote on Oct 15, 2007 4:30 PM:

" First, learn how to spell "dollors" then we'll talk about how to spend them. I am happy for you that you made a full recovery. Quite frankly, the program is a waste. I agree with "what a joke". Ask the people who work with the P36ers on a daily basis. We are lucky if we find one that is clean until the end of the program. I can tell you what P36 is about...excuses, urines tests, violations and then reinstatements. An endless cycle. "




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