In July of 2001 Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services Alcohol and Drug Services Division implemented the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act - Proposition 36. The Act, passed by Californians on November 7, 2000, is aimed at diverting non-violent probationers and parolees charged with simple drug possession or drug use offenses from incarceration to community-based alcohol and drug treatment programs. The Act aims to enhance public safety by reducing drug-related crime and preserving jails and prisons for serious and violent offenders. As a result, significant cost savings to the State of California are anticipated.
All planning efforts for the implementation of the Act have occurred under the direction of the Sacramento County Criminal Justice Cabinet. The cabinet designated an Oversight Group chaired by Judge Talmadge Jones. Participants include Health and Human Services, Probation, District Attorney, Public Defender, treatment providers and other community stakeholders. The mission of the Proposition 36 Oversight group is to develop and implement the program through a collaborative process, and to achieve a policy consensus that will promote successful treatment programs and services for the rehabilitation of non-violent drug offenders without jeopardizing public safety.
The Act allocates state funding of $60 million dollars for fiscal year 2000-2001, and $120 million dollars per year over a five year period beginning fiscal year 2001-2002 and ending fiscal year 2005-2006. Although the primary intent of the Act is to fund court supervised AOD treatment, funds can also be used for ancillary services such as family counseling, literacy training and vocational counseling.
Sacramento County Alcohol and Drug Services Divsion has partnered with Sacramento County Probation and treatment providers to ensure quality service to all program participants. A full continuum of treatment options including after care services are available to participants. Ancillary services, most of which are provided at each core outpatient site, include literacy training, vocational counseling, family counseling, health and mental health services.
The Proposition 36 Year One Report narrative summary is available as an Adobe PDF file HERE. For the complete report with all the tables and appendices, or for more information about the Substance and Crime Prevention Act contact:
Kathleen Macias, Program Coordinator
7001-A East Parkway, Suite 500, Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 875-2039 Kathleen Macias
