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.