Researchers and Funders Meet on California's Proposition 36 to Divert Drug Offenders to Treatment

Research and funders meeting on Proposition 36 to divert drug offenders to treatment

A November 2001 conference and a follow-up meeting provided researchers and funders the opportunity to discuss the framework for future research on California's Proposition 36, the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000.

This act allows judges to offer treatment for drug addiction instead of prison terms to nonviolent offenders who plead guilty to a range of drug-related offenses. California voters approved the act to take effect July 1, 2001 with funding of $120 million annually for drug treatment and related expenses until 2006. See Program Results on ID#s 041311, 041468 and 043857 on research about the impact of Proposition 36.

The purpose of these discussions was to assure that researchers would address critical questions but avoid study overlap.

Key Results

The meeting included two presentations; most of the meeting involved facilitated discussion. There was no attempt to reach consensus on particular issues. (See the Bibliography for conference details.)

A report on the meeting entitled "Telling the Story of Proposition 36: What Do We Need to Know and How Do We Get There?" summarized discussions and suggested follow-up activities.

Funding

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provided a $17,906 grant to the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, which was a co-sponsor and co-funder of the meetings, along with the California Endowment (Woodland Hills, Calif.).

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