The 93-page report released by the Ventura County Grand Jury said the problems with the program have "compromised public safety and health."

The report says the county's Behavioral Health Department, which runs the three-year-old program, has failed to compile reliable data, neglected to conduct enough random drug testing, and refused to fully share with law-enforcement agencies the results of tests that were conducted.

Law-enforcement officials and District Attorney Greg Totten agree with the findings, adding that the program's inadequacies may have contributed to an increase in crime.

"Everyone in law enforcement wants to see drug offenders treated and change their behavior," said Totten. "But if you strictly focus on a touchy-feely social-services treatment model, it doesn't take into account the danger these people can pose."

The grand-jury report recommended that control of Proposition 36 be placed under the county's executive officer. It also called for more frequent drug testing and the immediate disclosure of results to law enforcement.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by robert on 19 Jul 08 01:53 PM EDT

Sick. Ya lock drug users up teach them that the only way to stay clean is to stay in prison.What a sad message we send to the deppressed and discouraged future. You know what if you think about using you should just kill yourself better yet 3 to 5 years to think about a bad decision might work.Remember someone close to you is using brother or mother maybe. Remember judge not lest ye be judged. Alot of regular people go to prison over a bad decision God gave us freewill to learn from bad choices.Prison is for murders,molesters, and violent criminals we have enough of those to keep prisons filled. first time drug offenders should not have to go through 3 years of cat and mouse games trying to avoid a prison term

Posted by joebanana on 10 Aug 08 02:42 AM EDT

Cops don't need to know the results of "testing" anymore than they need to know anyones medical history. And shut up about "the danger these people pose". The "law" is what poses the danger. What about the danger police chases pose on the public, or,the danger the"judicial system" poses to the innocent sitting in jail,because of the flawed system? Not to mention the complete lack of accountability for people that DNA has cleared of any wrong doing, if the US is so hell bent on punishment, why don't the people responsable for stealing a persons freedom get equal treatment under the "law"? They say ignorance is "no excuse", except, when the "courts" are ignorant, then it's ok.

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