PROP. 36'S SUPPORT IS STILL FALLING, DATA SHOW

Some Drug Offenders Would Get Treatment

SACRAMENTO -- Support for Proposition 36, a measure that would divert
nonviolent drug offenders from jail to treatment, continues to decline,
according to a new poll.

For the first time, support for the initiative has fallen below 50 percent,
though it is favored by a strong plurality of voters.

Meanwhile, the Legislature's version of campaign finance reform,
Proposition 34, is also supported by a plurality of voters, 46 percent to
26 percent.

The results come from the nonpartisan Field Poll released released today.

According to the poll, 49 percent of voters support Proposition 36, while
28 percent oppose it. In June, the initiative was backed by 64 percent of
voters and opposed by 20 percent. In August, the measure was favored 55
percent to 27 percent.

Under the initiative, those convicted of drug possession for the first and
second times would go into treatment rather than jail. Nonviolent parolees
who test positive for drugs would also go into treatment rather than be
returned to prison.

The measure, supported by a variety of health groups, including the
California Medical Association, would spend $120 million a year to pay for
expanded treatment programs.

The Legislative Analyst's Office estimates Proposition 36 would save the
state between $100 million and $150 million a year, save counties $40
million a year and help the state avoid the estimated $500 million it costs
to build a new prison.

Law enforcement groups strongly oppose the ballot measure, saying it would
effectively legalize dangerous drugs.

On Thursday, a group of nearly 200 judges declared their opposition to
Proposition 36, saying it would undermine drug courts by taking away the
power of judges to incarcerate addicts.

Proposition 34, which was placed on the ballot by the Legislature, would
impose some contribution limits on California races. Currently, donors can
give as much as they want.

The measure would limit donations to $3,000 for legislative races and
$20,000 for gubernatorial contests.

Normal supporters of campaign finance reform, groups like Common Cause,
oppose the initiative, arguing that it is a phony version of reform.

The survey, conducted between Sept. 29 and Oct. 8, has a margin of error of
3.2 percent.