BALLOT MEASURES

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PROPOSITION 36

This measure requires that drug users be diverted to treatment programs,
coupled with probation, rather than be sentenced to prison terms. Opponents
of Prop. 36 say it ties the hands of prosecutors and essentially legalizes
hard drugs.

That is not the case. Criminals whose offenses go beyond drug dependency
still are subject to imprisonment. Prop. 36 takes people whose chief crime
is against themselves and sends them to treatment programs rather than to
prison, thus saving taxpayers as much as $150 million a year.

We don't want people ignoring drug laws, but users need help, not prison.
The News-Press recommends a "yes" vote on Prop. 36.