CDAA urges legislators to pass funding for Prop 36 treatment

California’s top prosecutors are urging legislators to fulfill the will of the people by funding the drug treatment that is a linchpin of Prop 36. So far, the state has not proposed any money in its annual budget for Prop 36 treatment.

Today, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni testified in Sacramento that in order to succeed by treating those living with drug addiction, Prop 36 must have the proper funding.

“As you work to submit a balanced budget, I ask you to protect the most vulnerable Californians by fully funding the treatment programs that will make Proposition 36 a success,” Pacioni said at the Joint Hearing of the California Senate Public Safety and Budget Committees and Fiscal Review Subcommittee.

“Prop 36 passed with overwhelming support because voters understood what policy and data also confirm: treatment works, and rehabilitation is a better answer than incarceration for many nonviolent drug offenders. This is not only good policy — it reflects the will of the people. It’s a policy that saves lives, strengthens families, and enhances public safety,” Pacioni said.

Just six months ago, nearly 70 percent of California voters overwhelmingly passed Prop 36 — sending a clear message that they’re done with the political gamesmanship that has undermined public safety for years. Voters want results, not rhetoric.

“We are deeply disappointed at the lack of funding, but we are still hopeful that state legislators are listening to their constituents, as there is still time to do the right thing,” said Greg Totten, CEO of the California District Attorneys Association. “Treatment and supervision through Drug courts saves money and changes lives. The people of California voted for this initiative, and they deserve to see it come to fruition.”

Many in the legislature have already worked in good faith to uphold the will of the voters, and we’re committed to partnering with them to fully implement Prop 36 — including securing the funding needed to expand access to treatment and keep our communities safe.

“This is where the work begins,” said Senator Thomas J. Umberg, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Drug treatment always has been, and will continue to be, a priority for me.  A number of my colleagues have expressed their intention to fund Prop 36 and I take them at their word.  I look forward to working with them in the coming months to present a budget to the Governor that preserves California’s best interests and reflects the desires of Californians.”

A snippet of Pacioni’s remarks can be found on the CDAA‘s social media channels, including.facebook.com/californiadistrictattorneysassociation.

About the California District Attorneys Association
The California District Attorneys Association is a statewide training and advocacy organization representing elected district attorneys, city attorneys with criminal divisions, and more than 3,500 prosecutors, including deputy district attorneys in Los Angeles County.