BALLOT MEASURE CALLS FOR DRUG TREATMENT IN NON-VIOLENT CASES

SACRAMENTO -- As three state senators announced their support, a measure
that would send non-violent drug offenders to treatment instead of prison
was qualified Wednesday for the Nov. 7 ballot.

Secretary of State Bill Jones certified the Substance Abuse and Crime
Prevention Act of 2000. It would require that people convicted of certain
drug possession charges receive treatment and serve probation.

Proponents say some 20,000 people are in state prisons and another 17,000 in
county jails for possession of drugs.

The state Legislative Analyst's Office has estimated that the measure could
save California taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in prison
operation and construction costs. But law enforcement groups contend it
would provide a get-out-of-jail-free card to tens of thousands of drug users
whose addictions spawn significant crime problems.

State Senate President Pro Tempore John Burton, D-San Francisco, endorsed
the measure along with fellow Democrats John Vasconcellos of Santa Clara and
Richard Polanco of Los Angeles.