PROP. 5 OFFERS DISINGENUOUS SALES PITCH

On Nov. 4, California voters will decide on a ballot proposition that
could dramatically alter the criminal justice system and jeopardize
public safety. Proposition 5, the so-called "Non-Violent Offender
Rehabilitation Act," poses the greatest threat to public safety in 20 years.

Sponsored and bankrolled by billionaire George Soros, NORA aims to
expand Proposition 36 drug treatment programs by earmarking $150
million in initial costs, $460 million by July 1, 2009, and $460
million plus an inflation adjustment every year thereafter. A Little
Hoover Commission study showed that Prop. 36 has been an abject
failure in treating the addicts it is seeking to cure, achieving only
a 19 percent graduation rate. Forty-three percent of these graduates
will commit another drug offense within two years.

NORA advertises itself as applying to non-violent drug offenders, but
nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, NORA could provide
a "get-out-of-jail-free" card to defendants charged with crimes such
as domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, identity theft, check
fraud, burglary, DUI, vehicular manslaughter, auto theft and mortgage
fraud, letting them escape criminal prosecution altogether. If a
violent offender is granted a hearing using the "drugs made me do it"
defense created by NORA, the burden of proof shifts to the
prosecution to prove the defendant should be held responsible for their crimes.

NORA provides no accountability for drug addicts, who would be able
to continue to abuse drugs during treatment. Dirty drug tests cannot
result in violations of the program, constitute new offenses or lead
to jail time. Even the commission of new criminal offenses may not
trigger expulsion from the program. Successful drug treatment
programs like drug courts and the San Francisco-based Delancey
Street, which boasts a graduation rate more than double that of Prop.
36 programs, will be crippled because defendants in the throes of
their addictions will choose the lenient option offered by NORA over
programs that demand accountability and responsibility from their
participants. Actor Martin Sheen, chair of the No on 5 campaign,
knows from personal experience that successful drug rehabilitation
needs accountability and sometimes direct intervention, rather than
waiting for addicts to seek treatment when they are ready. Many
addicts are never ready or don't live long enough to become ready.

NORA is also too costly. It requires spending in perpetuity that can
only be restricted by a voter initiative campaign. The governor and
legislature cannot adjust Prop. 5 funding even in times of budget
shortfall or crisis. NORA requires counties to provide up to a 10
percent match in order to receive state funds. Our already
overcrowded local jails would house parole violators who continue to
abuse drugs. Prop. 5 monies cannot be used for drug testing or to
treat addicts who are incarcerated. An oversight panel will determine
what costs the county must bear and there is no right to appeal.

Illegal narcotics have unleashed havoc upon Amador County. Too many
people's lives have been lost and shattered. Too many families have
been torn asunder. Too many children have lost their childhood. Too
many collateral victims have been tragically impacted. NORA won't end
this cycle - it will make it worse. Unfortunately, NORA will likely
become law unless the public is told the truth about this costly and
dangerous drug treatment initiative. Soros and his friends have
raised far more money than what the No on 5 campaign has raised thus
far. When people hear what NORA is really about, they oppose it.
Toward that end, Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan, Chief Probation
Officer Mark Bonini and myself requested a board of supervisors'
resolution publicly opposing Proposition 5, which was passed
unanimously. In an unprecedented display of bipartisan support, NORA
has been opposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Attorney General Jerry
Brown, former governors Gray Davis, Pete Wilson and George
Deukmejian, Sen. Dave Cox, Congressman Dan Lungren, Lt. Gov. John
Garamendi and the California Judges Association, as well as Mothers
Against Drunk Driving and the entire law enforcement community.

Please do your part to stop this costly and dangerous initiative by
asking your family, friends and neighbors to vote "no" on Proposition
5. We simply cannot afford the massive havoc this initiative would
wreak on our families, schools and community.