This complex initiative has five parts to it. First, it would expand treatment programs to drug offenders both in prison and out of prison. Second, its passage would modify parole-shortening it for some offenders, those who have typically committed nonviolent and few to no other offenses; in contrast, parole is increased for violent criminals. Thirdly, the existing procedure of allowing inmates to gain credits for early parole through good behavior would be augmented, so that criminals with good behavior and/or participation in rehabilitation programs could earn more credits in a shorter period of time. Fourthly, the fines for marijuana possession would be capped and in instances, possession that normally would have been a misdemeanor would become an infraction. Finally, the proposition passage would change the way certain parole programs and the administration of rehabilitation programs run by the state and the counties would work, including but not limited to the allocation of funds for said programs.
A “Yes” vote means that more drug offenders will be eligible for diversion programs rather than sentencing and possession of small amounts of marijuana will be reduced.
- Our courts spend time and money prosecuting marijuana possession over 28.5 grams-this proposition would change certain misdemeanors to infractions, similar to traffic tickets.
- After its passage, this proposition could reduce the California prison population by 18,000 inmates and reduce the number of parolees by 22,000.
- The state could save a one time net savings of more than $2.5 billion for prison space that would not have to be built because there would be less nonviolent criminals jailed.
- The state would potentially save more than $1 billion dollars annually due to a reduction imprison and parole operating costs.
A “No” vote means that California's drug laws would remain unchanged.
- This proposition will decriminalize certain drug use, and specifically the use of marijuana, a substance sometimes called a "gateway drug"; lesser penalties might not deter potential users.
- The state would potentially incur a $1 billion per year bill for drug treatment programs.
- Parole for some offenders would be shortened, so users and dealers could be on the street quicker than before.
- In the voter information guide, there are multiple instances where the costs of implementation, treatment, etc is defines as "uncertain"-should the voters pass a prop for which they do not even know the full range of fiscal impact?
Comments
Outpatient Drug Rehabs
Consider an outpatient drug rehab care treatment program if you want help but don't need 24-hour supervised care. Research the options to decide whether you need an all-day facility, a program that meets only in the evenings and on weekends, or a less intensive weekly group. Some programs incorporate a variety of these options.
http://www.drugrehabscenters.com/
Drug Treatment Center
There are many drug treatment center available in country that serves programs and services to treat addicts. They have outstanding staff to treat their patients. This site helps the clients to find best drug treatment center for drug and alcohol addicted people.
The voters did the right thing
The voters of California overwhelmingly rejected Proposition 5. They listened to the voices of UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, the California Drug Court Judges, the National Association for Mental Illness; all of whom opposed this measure because it would only continue the tragic cycle of drug addiction and crime. Proposition 5 was the personal plaything of several out of state billionaires (only $ 350,000 of the over $ 8 million spent to pass Proposition 5 came from California) whose real agenda is drug legalization. California voters saw its deception and rejected this unwise and dangerous measure.
Prisons are private $ makers. Public rehab doesn't incl pools.
Look at Boston and how they are helping drug addicts & especially youth stay off the streets. They are using drug rehabs & intensive one on one counseling. They have one court that specifically handles those cases w/ success. Drugs are avail in jail so jail is not the answer. Many addicts actually prefer to be in jail b/c of food, housing, & drugs. Our system will not create country club rehabs w/ pools & many of us will make sure they are functional rehabs. For you eccentrics, pools occupy quite a bit of land, which is not cheap or plentiful in urban california. The rich kids can have mommy & daddy send them to private pool rehab clubs but repeat offenders will be punished.
Our social services are a joke so many youth in terrible situations don't have a social worker & assistance b/c of the lack of people & money. Hopefully these rehab/ youth assistance programs will show our youth that life is hard but crime makes life even more difficult. Many people say that jail makes them more of a hardened criminal and they learn more about becoming "effective/profitable" criminals in jail.
Remember most of the new jails are built & managed by private corporations. Now prisons are a money making industry & overcrowding means those companies make more $ while using less resources.
Wondering why some chose punishment over Humanity.
Its something i have observed about people. There are the type that see things in this black and white way. And seem to come from this place of fly right or we will kick your ass! repeatedly. and for the smallest infraction. matter of fact some people are so preoccupied with finding fault in others for the sole purpose for having an excuse to abuse another person. of course this is all disguised behind some pretend Crime prevention rhetoric.
But anyway who do you know that ever killed anyone on POT! Ok maybe the pizza man if he was late. But DUDE WHO GIVES A RATS ASS WHO SMOKES POT! gate way drug? what nonsense! more made up bullcrap to have a justification to bully people and feed your fears and prejudice. "OHH we are all so afraid of some pot head raiding our refrigerator we have to put them all away for life waaaa!" come on! have some humanity and give them some help if they get in trouble and let the rest of us have what little freedom we have left in this DU DA politically correct, prone to hysterical country!
Prison System is a business
Let's keep in mind that the Prison Employees have one of the most powerful lobbying gropus and strong union. For every prisoner they keep locked up their funding goes up. That point said, if one is not familiar with the effects of addiction on families let me give you a pointer. Addiction is a DISEASE! look it up. Therefore addiction has little to do with self will and choice. Trust and believe that no sane person would want to be living the life of an addict. For some it easy to say "just don't do drugs" but until you live it you can't really comprehend it. Education and treatment is the best option and LESS expensive. We have over 100,000 inmates in this great state of ours. WHY?
Reality Check
Let's look at ourselves for a moment. As a country we outlawed alcohol for 13 years from 1920 to 1933 because of the common belief that alcohol was a gateway substance to eventual death by suicide. See table below.
Description English: A lithograph by Nathaniel Currier supporting the temperance movement.
Step 1: A glass with a friend.
Step 2: A glass to keep the cold out.
Step 3: A glass too much.
Step 4: Drunk and riotous.
Step 5: The summit attained. Jolly companions, a confirmed drunkard.
Step 6: Poverty and Disease.
Step 7: Forsaken by Friends.
Step 8: Desperation and crime.
Step 9: Death by suicide.
Source The Library of Congress
Date c. 1846
As a result we criminalized drinking. (I myself do not drink at all) We imprisoned people who drank and trafficked in alcohol. At some point during the Great Depression people really wanted to get access to alcohol so our president signed a law and made it legal again.
I’m not advocating letting the dealers off the hook; they should be punished; but what is the our goal of locking up the end users? To protect them from death by suicide or any of the other ills that comes from using? Or is it because they are draining our health system? Don’t forget the cost of incarceration. Or is it because we want to punish them for seeking intoxication? Well what ever the reason...I’ll raise my glass to that.
Bartender, another round for me and my friends…
rehab???
How is sending someone to a country club (rehab) going to deter someone from taking drugs? If I had the choice of going to rehab in a facility with a swimming pool, TV and freedom VS going to jail, the choice is clear, but how would that help get me off drugs< i would probable follow the program while there then go right back to what I was doing so I could go back to REHAB again. It would be like a vacation at taxpayers expense. Many years ago minor offenders were given the option of military service or jail, at least that gave some much needed discipline. Youth offenders would need programs like the Youth Challenge Program run by the National Guard rather than a country club setting. This program gives youth opportunity to finish school, start a career and increases their self esteem through team building activities. If you really want to support at risk youth, support programs that have a proven track record.
Drug Rehab Saves Lives
I am one of the millions of people who have had serious issues with drugs. I was convicted in 2000 of Meth possession. I was able to plead guilty and choose Prop 36. I entered tiered drug rehab instead of jail. To make a long story short, I have been clean for 7 years, and am a junior in college working towards my degree in History. Without Prop 36 I would be DEAD! Now I am preparing for a bright future. Please vote yes on Prop 5! It could mean life or death for someone you love!
it's too costly!!!!!!!!!
I have read and heard some of your comment, but it's true we do have an epedemic on our hands, but were I don not see were it should fall on the citizens of California to pay for this. I say this I have a brother doing life, in prision for not adhearing to the law. I grew up right next to him I am the older of the 3 boys and I refuse to do any type of drug. Correction I tried pot , but that's as far as I went I had every drug available to me but I refused. We are all smart enough to refuse not to do something that we know will kill us or destroy our families. I have 2 young kids and I show them that you must make the right choice and we have that choice of not doing drugs period.
Provide drug treatment for youth: YES on 5
I am among the estimated 50% of Americans who know someone with a substance abuse problem. When I was growing up my teenage sister struggled repeatedly with drug addiction. Fortunately, our family was able to muster enough resources to send her to treatment and now she is in recovery and leading a sober and productive life. But I know that many less fortunate families don't have the resources to afford drug treatment. In California there is currently no system of publicly funded treatment for youth struggling with addiction. What the pros and cons above fail to include is that Prop. 5 would address this tragically shortsighted failure by providing a system of treatment for at-risk youth. Prop. 5 would stop youth drug addiction before it manifests into adult criminal activity. I am voting YES on 5 for all of those families who can't afford to send their children to drug treatment. Please join me.
It's Time California Get Serious About Cutting Prison Costs
Having grown up in California, one of the saddest trends I witnessed was the steady hemorrhage of state money away from the public education system to prison and jail construction. By diverting low level drug offenders to treatment, Prop. 5 would reverse this pattern, freeing up billions of dollars that could be more constructively spent. There is no evidence that prison and jail helps people with drug problems. But spending more money on education is certainly better for the state, and getting folks who need it into treatment is much more sensible public policy. Tell your friends!!!! Yes on Prop. 5!
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