The San Jose Mercury News reported June 21 that the report also found that one in three nonviolent drug offenders in San Mateo County never even show up for their court-ordered treatment sessions.

The report concluded that Proposition 36 has failed to reduce crime or drug use; lack of accountability was cited as the program's major flaw, since offenders don't face jail or other major sanctions for failing to attend treatment or remain abstinent. California Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-Chula Vista) currently is proposing legislation to alter the program by allowing short-term jail sentences for Prop 36 participants who relapse.

Last fall, a UCLA study found that 31 percent of Prop 36 participants were rearrested, compared to 18 percent of participants in other diversion programs.

Under the current Prop 36 rules, offenders can miss treatment three times before a judge can order them incarcerated.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by rob roy on 19 Jul 08 05:51 AM EDT

This is onesided B.S first off the % of people in prop 36 dwarfs the % in other progs and a person in prop 36 constantly faces 3-5 years in prison for any violation. Lucky if they get 3 cosidering all they did was do a drug. They hurt themselves no one else and in most cases had no idea what they were really doing to themselves. The Gov did though they introduced it into societies lower class. What better way to make people dependant on gov? addiction and welfare,suppy and demand the rich get richer. Now were hearing of independant prisons owned by people and contracted by our own gov again the rich get richer SICK! I watch profesy unfold and pray. The day is near prepare for the Lords return and avoid the snare/revolving door trap of prop 36 and stay off drugs its the only way to be truley free here in this failing society they want you to lose.Out of site out of mind

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