Pubdate: Sun, 26 Nov 2000 Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 2000 The Fresno Bee Contact: http://www.fresnobee.com/man/opinion/letters.html Website: http://www.fresnobee.com/ Forum: http://www.fresnobee.com/man/projects/webforums/opinion.html Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1683/a04.html Bookmark: For Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act items: http://www.mapinc.org/prop36.htm Author: Karyn Poedy DRUG TREATMENT I am writing in response to The Bee's editorial, "Drug war weary," Nov. 9. Proposition 36 gives treatment to nonviolent drug abusers on their first offense. Almost all law enforcement agencies are against the new law. However, it was in the nation's best interest for Proposition 36 to pass. Taxpayers spend billions of dollars to support first-offense drug abusers in prison. Why not give them the help they need and keep space in the prisons for other criminals? Drug-treatment facilities that are already functioning should receive some of the financial aid that Gov. Gray Davis has been given, and new facilities should be opened. On the contrary, Gov. Davis, so far, has not done anything to help drug abusers and still has not assigned anyone to serve as the director of the department. Now that Proposition 36 is law, will Gov. Davis come through for us? The only way this nation is going to improve itself is if the government does its part by giving aid to those in need. If the government sticks to this new law, success is sure to accompany it. Karyn Poedy, Fresno - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D