NEW STEPS SOUGHT AGAINST DRUGS, ALCOHOL

SACRAMENTO, March 20 (UPI) - California health advocates released a survey
Friday showing strong public support for shifting some taxpayer money from
jails and prisons to alcohol and drug treatment programs. The statewide
Field Institute poll of 1,685 adults also found more than one of every
three said they or their family members had suffered harmful effects from
alcohol and drugs the past two years. Nine in 10 said they believe
education and jobs are top priorities in curbing illegal drug use, and
seven in 10 favored taking some public money from prisons to support
related programs.