Improving Lives, Delivering Results: A Review of the First Four Years

In November 2000, California voters passed Proposition 36, which proposed treating drug abuse as a public health issue, rather than a criminal justice issue. The Drug Policy
Alliance (DPA) helped write and pass Proposition 36 and has advocated for its faithful implementation. Protecting and expanding Prop.36 is a top priority of DPA. This report assesses the results of Proposition 36 to date.

The key results:
More than 140,000 people have been diverted from jail to treatment
Half of those diverted were receiving treatment for the first time
The total number of people incarcerated for drug possession fell by 32% (from 19,736 to 13,457) between December 31, 2000 and June 30, 2005.

Because treatment is the focus, Proposition 36 has resulted in more treatment choices and availability in the State. More than 700 new drug treatment programs have been licensed, a 66% increase over December 31, 2000. Existing programs expanded capacities. Progress can still be made: Counties could increase participation and program completion by locating treatment assessment, referrals, and enrollment near courts and probation services, and also by providing transportation for clients between courts and treatment centers Counties and courts should expand availability of methadone-assisted treatment, as well as new treatments shown to be effective, such as buprenorphine. The State should restrict counties non-treatment costs to no more than 20% of Proposition 36 allocations.