Pubdate: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 Source: Sacramento Bee (CA) Copyright: 2004 The Sacramento Bee Contact: http://www.sacbee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376 Author: Alexa H. Bluth and Christina Jewett Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) STUDY - 25% OF THOSE WHO TRY DRUG TREATMENT FINISH PROGRAM A quarter of those who choose drug treatment instead of jail under voter-approved Proposition 36 complete the program, while 30 percent never start, according to a new study that examined the controversial law's second year on the books. The University of California, Los Angeles, study has elicited claims of success from the law's original supporters, who say Proposition 36 has exposed more than 30,000 people to drug treatment for the first time, planting a seed for future recovery. "Proposition 36 is a success both in human terms and public policy terms," said Glenn Backes, national health policy director for Drug Policy Alliance. But critics say results are disappointing and argue that the law gives the criminal justice system too little influence over offenders with a wide array of criminal histories and rehabilitation needs. The law designed to send nonviolent drug offenders to treatment instead of jail went into effect in 2001 and is in its fourth year. The study, required as part of the measure to track its effectiveness, examined the results of the law's second year. The study found that 50,335 offenders agreed to participate in drug treatment from July 1, 2002, to June 30, 2003. Of those, seven out of 10 actually went into treatment, the study found. About 24 percent of those who had agreed to enter treatment during the program's first year - including those who did not actually enter treatment - went on to complete treatment, the new study found. Of those who actually entered treatment, the study found that about a third completed it. In Sacramento County, in the fiscal year ending in June 2003, about 1,500 people were sent to Proposition 36 drug treatment, according to a county Alcohol and Drug Services Division study released in August. Of those who had entered treatment, 9 percent graduated, which means they completed treatment, began repaying fees, and secured housing and employment. An additional 10 percent completed treatment. Statewide, about half the participants entered drug treatment for the first time, a figure proponents say proves that the program works for criminals who otherwise might never have sought help for their addiction. "Time and time again, I've seen people who really want to get off drugs and do (when they go through the program)," said Sacramento Superior Court Judge Gary Ransom. "Proposition 36 is long overdue and it's highly successful as far as this court's concerned. It saves people's lives." Sacramento resident Mary Pruitt, a graduate of a Proposition 36 drug treatment program, said Wednesday that she is one of the people who might not have sought treatment on her own. She was arrested in 2001 for possession of methamphetamine and opted for drug treatment. Now, Pruitt said, she works in the drug treatment field. "I had no idea that treatment was out there for me and when I was given the opportunity to go into treatment, it's the best thing that ever happened to me," she said. The study, meanwhile, also pointed to areas where efforts to carry out Proposition 36 have fallen short. Specifically, the study found that offenders with severe drug problems were too often placed in outpatient programs and did not receive the level of treatment they needed. David LeBahn, director of the California District Attorneys Association, said the law has not lived up to its promise of rehabilitating low-level offenders. "The idea of getting folks off the drugs is outstanding," he said. "But that 25 or 35 percent are completing treatment is good news - that's something we'd disagree with." LeBahn said the law has taken discretion out of the hands of judges by dictating who gets treatment. He said many people who are arrested under the influence of drugs do not get treatment. And others who are arrested on suspicion of having drugs for sale are sent to treatment. The difference: More felons get treatment, he said. "That's frustrating for (prosecutors) because people in courts see someone needy who doesn't get services," he said. "Then a drug seller is not a user but a felon - and gets the program." Judge Darrell Stevens of Butte County, who helped design Proposition 36 programs statewide, credits them with exposing thousands of people to drug treatment. But he said county drug courts - which treat fewer people and have tougher sanctions - have much better results. He said 68 percent of people who entered treatment in Butte County completed it, compared with 24 percent who completed Proposition 36 treatment in Sacramento County. "Prop. 36 is different because of the sheer numbers. And you have a different animal," he said. "People in Prop. 36 perhaps have not made a decision to go to recovery, but made more of a decision to accept probation and hopefully avoid prison." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek