ENDORSEMENTS - PROPOSITION 36 DRUGS, PROBATION AND TREATMENT

YES - The war on drugs is arguably America's biggest policy failure.

Over the past three decades this country has spent billions and jailed
millions in a fruitless attempt to curb the illegal drug trade.

Today, as our schools lie in ruin for lack of funding, illegal substances
are easier than ever to get. Add to that all the lives ruined by
prison--the addicts and dealers shipped in and out of America's ever
expanding gulag.

Proposition 36 would be a huge step toward a drug-war detente.

It would send all nonoviolent drug possession offenders into treatment,
keeping as many as 37,000 people a year out of jail and prison.

According to independent state analysts, the measure could ease the need to
build yet another new prison in California and could save taxpayers as much
as $1.5 billion over the next five years.

Foes of Prop. 36 argue that the measure has no teeth.

That's simply not true. Judges would still be able to hand out one-to
three-year prison sentences if need be. Foes also argue that the state's
established drug court system is a huge success.

But while the drug courts have a strong record, they take in only a handful
of offenders every year. Prop. 36, which would allocate $120 million
annually for drug treatment, would deal with tens of thousands.

While liberal actor Martin Sheen is the public face of the No campaign,
it's bankrolled by prison guards, cops, and prosecutors--the same people
who fight any attempt at reforming our racist, classist justice system.
Vote yes on 36.