$60 MILLION PAID INTO FUND FOR PROP. 36 DRUG PROGRAM

The state released $60 million Thursday into a special fund to start paying
for drug treatment under a measure approved by voters last month.

The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs will give the money to local
addiction treatment providers and county probation departments under the
provisions of Proposition 36.

The ballot initiative requires that first- and second-time drug possession
offenders be sent to treatment programs instead of jail or prison.

But there aren't enough treatment slots nor are probation departments
geared up to handle the estimated 36,000 offenders who may start flooding
the program when it begins in July.

Proposition 36, approved by 61 percent of voters Nov. 7, requires the money
to be released six months early so the counties can start preparing for the
influx.

Once the program begins, $120 million a year will go to fund offenders'
treatment and supervision.