California needs to spend more money on addiction treatment if state officials want Proposition 36 to work effectively, researchers from UCLA said in a recent report.

The Associated Press reported April 13 that a review of the treatment-diversion initiative found that only about a third of  Prop 36 clients completed court-ordered treatment. State officials have called for penalties for clients who don't follow court orders.

The UCLA report said that the state should be spending $228 million annually on treatment, but last year about $149 million was spent. The report called for more funding for intensive treatment and supervision, singling out the need for more residential programs and long-term (90 days plus) treatment. The UCLA researchers also recommended that Prop 36 clients get access to methadone maintenance.