DRUG TREATMENT

I am writing in response to The Bee's editorial, "Drug war weary," Nov. 9.
Proposition 36 gives treatment to nonviolent drug abusers on their first
offense. Almost all law enforcement agencies are against the new law.

However, it was in the nation's best interest for Proposition 36 to pass.
Taxpayers spend billions of dollars to support first-offense drug abusers
in prison. Why not give them the help they need and keep space in the
prisons for other criminals?

Drug-treatment facilities that are already functioning should receive some
of the financial aid that Gov. Gray Davis has been given, and new
facilities should be opened. On the contrary, Gov. Davis, so far, has not
done anything to help drug abusers and still has not assigned anyone to
serve as the director of the department.

Now that Proposition 36 is law, will Gov. Davis come through for us?

The only way this nation is going to improve itself is if the government
does its part by giving aid to those in need. If the government sticks to
this new law, success is sure to accompany it.

Karyn Poedy, Fresno