Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

A risky drug plan

Eight years ago, Californians approved Proposition 36, which was designed to send drug offenders into treatment instead of prison.

Proposition 5, on the Nov. 4 ballot, would take this concept a step further. Many prosecutors and judges who deal with drug-related crime make a compelling case that this measure goes too far – and would work against its stated goal of reducing crime through treatment programs.

The measure would allocate $460 million to improve and expand treatment programs for Californians convicted of drug offenses or nonviolent crimes that may be related to an addiction.

One of the biggest criticisms of Prop. 5 is that it opens to door to allowing someone convicted of a long list of nonviolent crimes – burglary, embezzlement, arson, auto theft – to blame their addiction as a way to avoid prison. This claim is not entirely fair. In reality, a judge would have to approve the treatment option. The more likely application of this provision would be on serial petty thieves who keep cycling through the justice system because of small-time crimes to feed a habit.

However, there are many other disturbing flaws with Prop. 5. For example, none of this new money could be used for drug testing – one of the most critical components of a drug-treatment program. Judges also would lose one of their most valuable tools in confronting an addict who was balking at going into treatment: the threat of a short jail stint. Under Prop. 5, jail sanctions could be imposed only after multiple failures and multiple hearings.

Another of the highly criticized aspect of Prop. 5 is the narrowing of the parole period for drug offenders from the current three years to as little as six months. As San Mateo County District Attorney Jim Fox noted, the scrutiny of parole – with parolees subject to search and seizure at any moment – helps deter newly released drug dealers from getting back in the business.

The supporters of Prop. 5 argue that it makes no sense to send drug addicts to our overcrowded prisons when treatment is available. We agree in concept. But this measure puts far too much faith in treatment. A UCLA study of Prop. 36 showed that more than a quarter of the offenders failed to show up for rehab – and nearly half of those who did failed to complete their programs.

The formula in Proposition 5 would make a good pilot program in one or two counties to see how it would work. It’s important to note that many of the judges and prosecutors who deal with these types of cases every day are convinced of its flaws. To bring it statewide would represent an unacceptable risk.

Voters should reject Prop. 5.
_________
source: San Francisco Chronicle

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction refers to a compulsive need for the intake of a liquid that is derived from a fermented fruit or a grain. These liquids are wine, beer, rum, etc. you can label a person as alcohol addicted when he craves for alcohol and is unable to limit his drinking. The craving for alcohol is….

Research Suggests That Cigarettes’ Power May Not Be In Nicotine Itself

There may be a very good reason why coffee and cigarettes often seem to go hand in hand. A Kansas State University psychology professor’s research suggests that nicotine’s power may be in how it enhances other experiences. For a smoker who enjoys drinking coffee, the nicotine may make a cup of joe even better. And….

Steps to protect your liver

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting the Hepatitis B vaccine is the most effective way of preventing liver cancer, writes KASMIAH MUSTAPHA. IT may not have received as much attention as other forms of cancer, but in reality, liver cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It is also the third leading cause….

How Treatment Centers Help Individuals Cope With Relapse

Unfortunately, relapse is a common occurrence after an addict completes treatment for any type of addiction whether it’s an alcohol addiction or a drug addiction. Luckily, even after relapse you can still get back on track with the help of a treatment center. Treatment centers can help you overcome the feelings of defeat that occur….

Tide turns in favour of drug reform

One hundred years ago, the US convened the International Opium Conference. This meeting of 13 nations in Shanghai was the beginning of global drug prohibition. Prohibition slowly became one of the most universally applied policies in the world. But a century on, international support for this blanket drug policy is slowly but inexorably unravelling. In….