COUNTY TO GET $438,088 IN PROP. 36 FUNDS

Placer County is gearing up rapidly to enact Proposition 36, a statewide
initiative that prescribes treatment rather than jail or prison time for a
defendant's first two nonviolent drug-possession convictions.

The county learned recently it will receive $438,088 of the $60 million in
startup funds allocated by the state. In the future, county officials
expect to get close to $900,000 annually for programs mandated by the
ground-breaking proposition.

Approved by the state's voters Nov. 7, the proposition also is known as the
Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000. It goes into effect July 1.

The measure generally provides probation and drug-treatment programs,
rather than incarceration, the first two times a person is convicted of
possessing, transporting or being under the influence of controlled
substances. Under the proposition, charges can be dismissed when treatment
is completed.

The proposition doesn't apply in cases that involve sales or manufacture of
controlled substances.

Maureen Bauman, director of the county's Adult System of Care, said
Thursday that Placer already offers an assortment of drug-treatment and
related programs akin to those mandated by Proposition 36. The county
contracts with several other agencies to provide most of the services.

"We have that continuum, but we have to have it expanded for that
population," she explained, noting that most people who will receive drug
treatment under the proposition's guidelines aren't served by existing
county programs.

Bauman said she doesn't know yet how much county caseloads will increase
due to Proposition 36, but indicated the county Probation Department
typically has about 200 first-time drug offenders at any one time who would
qualify for treatment under the proposition.

Typically, first-time offenders in Placer County participate in
educational, but not treatment programs.

As part of its planning, the county is preparing a request for proposals
that will be sent to agencies interested in contracting for services
mandated by the proposition. Currently, the county contracts with about
eight agencies to provide most of its drug-treatment and related services.

The California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, the agency charged
with carrying out Proposition 36, issued emergency regulations recently to
answer a range of implementation questions.

Auburn Police Chief Mike Morello and Lt. Rick Armstrong of the county
Sheriff's Department said they don't expect the proposition to change how
their agencies handle arrests in nonviolent drug-possession cases.

Robert Harris, a spokesman for a group called the Campaign for New Drug
Policies, agreed the proposition shouldn't affect drug-possession arrests
by law enforcement agencies.

"This is post-trial or post-plea," he said, emphasizing the proposition's
emphasis is on how people are dealt with after convictions, not when
they're arrested.

Campaign for New Policies sponsored Proposition 36.

Bauman said she's optimistic Placer County will be ready when Proposition
36 goes into effect.

"We're not ahead of the game," she explained, "but if we continue with the
current meeting schedule, we should be on target to start July 1."