Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jan 2001
Source: Auburn Journal (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Auburn Journal
Contact:  1030 High St., Auburn, CA 95603
Website: http://www.auburnjournal.com/
Author: Mike Fitch, Journal Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prop36.htm (CA Proposition 36)

COUNTY TO GET $438,088 IN PROP. 36 FUNDS

Placer County is gearing up rapidly to enact Proposition 36, a statewide 
initiative that prescribes treatment rather than jail or prison time for a 
defendant's first two nonviolent drug-possession convictions.

The county learned recently it will receive $438,088 of the $60 million in 
startup funds allocated by the state. In the future, county officials 
expect to get close to $900,000 annually for programs mandated by the 
ground-breaking proposition.

Approved by the state's voters Nov. 7, the proposition also is known as the 
Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000. It goes into effect July 1.

The measure generally provides probation and drug-treatment programs, 
rather than incarceration, the first two times a person is convicted of 
possessing, transporting or being under the influence of controlled 
substances. Under the proposition, charges can be dismissed when treatment 
is completed.

The proposition doesn't apply in cases that involve sales or manufacture of 
controlled substances.

Maureen Bauman, director of the county's Adult System of Care, said 
Thursday that Placer already offers an assortment of drug-treatment and 
related programs akin to those mandated by Proposition 36. The county 
contracts with several other agencies to provide most of the services.

"We have that continuum, but we have to have it expanded for that 
population," she explained, noting that most people who will receive drug 
treatment under the proposition's guidelines aren't served by existing 
county programs.

Bauman said she doesn't know yet how much county caseloads will increase 
due to Proposition 36, but indicated the county Probation Department 
typically has about 200 first-time drug offenders at any one time who would 
qualify for treatment under the proposition.

Typically, first-time offenders in Placer County participate in 
educational, but not treatment programs.

As part of its planning, the county is preparing a request for proposals 
that will be sent to agencies interested in contracting for services 
mandated by the proposition. Currently, the county contracts with about 
eight agencies to provide most of its drug-treatment and related services.

The California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, the agency charged 
with carrying out Proposition 36, issued emergency regulations recently to 
answer a range of implementation questions.

Auburn Police Chief Mike Morello and Lt. Rick Armstrong of the county 
Sheriff's Department said they don't expect the proposition to change how 
their agencies handle arrests in nonviolent drug-possession cases.

Robert Harris, a spokesman for a group called the Campaign for New Drug 
Policies, agreed the proposition shouldn't affect drug-possession arrests 
by law enforcement agencies.

"This is post-trial or post-plea," he said, emphasizing the proposition's 
emphasis is on how people are dealt with after convictions, not when 
they're arrested.

Campaign for New Policies sponsored Proposition 36.

Bauman said she's optimistic Placer County will be ready when Proposition 
36 goes into effect.

"We're not ahead of the game," she explained, "but if we continue with the 
current meeting schedule, we should be on target to start July 1."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D