Pubdate: Sun, 26 Dec 2004
Source: Contra Costa Times (CA)
Copyright: 2004 Knight Ridder
Contact:  http://www.contracostatimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/96
Author: Elizabeth Berry
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

PROP. 36 IS WORKING

For many people who live on the streets or in prison, the holiday
season is the hardest time of year. But since the passing of
Proposition 36, California's landmark treatment-instead-of-incarceration
initiative, thousands of nonviolent drug offenders have had an
opportunity to reunite with their families.

For many ex-addicts who have graduated from the program, this
Christmas is the first time in years they have been able to celebrate
with their families.

"Before I entered Prop. 36 I never saw my family during the holidays,"
said Gary, 47, a Prop. 36 graduate who had used drugs for years.
"Yesterday I bought toys for my grandchildren. I am now a productive
member of society."

Instead of pushing addicts through the revolving door of prison again
and again, Prop. 36 provides them with a path away from drugs.
According to the official state-sponsored evaluation of Prop. 36,
conducted by Douglas Longshore of UCLA, Prop. 36 has extended access
to treatment to tens of thousands of people who were not being reached
by other treatment programs. Many were severely addicted. About 50
percent have never had access to treatment before.

Prop. 36 also saves money. An official cost-saving analysis by UCLA
will not be released until next year, but estimates from the Drug
Policy Alliance indicate that the savings are in the hundreds of
millions of dollars per year. Prison costs $31,000 per person per
year, compared to an approximately $3,200 per client for Prop. 36
participants. Prop. 36 also costs much less than drug courts.

"Prop. 36 has meant great cost savings for Californians," said Glenn
Backes, director of health policy for the Drug Policy Alliance. "But
it's really about saving lives -- the people who are spending this
holiday season with families, instead of behind bars or in a morgue.
California voters should be proud."

Here are a few of the lives changed.

Mary, Sacramento

During the years Mary was using she didn't even show up at her
family's home for the holidays. This year, Mary is caring for her two
sick parents during the day, and at night she will be celebrating and
cooking a holiday meal for the women in the residential treatment
house where she works.

Mary started using drugs at 38 and was arrested for the first time in
her life at 45. With the option of entering treatment through Prop.
36, Mary went into recovery.

In February, Mary will be celebrating three years clean and
sober.

DeAndre, Los Angeles

As a user a crack cocaine, DeAndre was well known to Los Angeles
police officers. He had begun using when he was 20. He's now 28. Since
being offered treatment through Prop. 36 in April, he has been getting
his life back on track. He now has a job and is going to school, and
he says he is grateful for receiving treatment because he can spend
more time with his two daughters. Last year he hid from them during
the holidays, ashamed of what his life had become.

Sam, Oakland

On Jan. 6, Sam will complete his 12-month residential program and
become a Prop. 36 graduate. Before entering Prop. 36, Sam lived on the
streets. During the program he obtain his GED, went to trade school,
graduated and is now part of the carpenter's union. He specializes in
installing fireproofing insulation.

His counselor beams as he describes Sam's successes. "He is receiving
a pension and benefits and making good money. He saved enough money to
buy his own vehicle and is now saving to move into his apartment."

Sam will celebrate the holidays with his family this year. After not
having seen his 17-year-old brother for several years, he now
regularly takes him to the movies on the weekends.