LET'S TRY REAL SOLUTIONS

Proposition 5 will make long-awaited changes to a system that's been
ineffective for years and getting worse. Let's stop throwing money at
a problem and hope it goes away, as in building more prisons.
Instead, put the money toward a solution that works.

When we actually do something substantial to help people get clean
and sober, as with Proposition 36 and Drug Court, we get results.
Two-thirds of people who have successfully completed these programs
have not reoffended and are living productive lives. Yet despite
saving taxpayers nearly $1.8 billion during the past six years, both
Proposition 36 and Drug Court have not been adequately funded.

The California Department of Corrections is being forced to deal with
prison overcrowding. Proposition 5 is the way to stretch our tax
dollars to include real opportunities to help stop the cycle of
people becoming re-offenders. This means people with alcohol and drug
problems will get help; funding will be available for at-risk youth;
less crime in our communities, stronger families, better employees
and safer neighborhoods.

This is a win-win proposal for us all.

By the way, since I've been free of drugs and alcohol for almost 15
years, the judge has not seen me except for my serving on jury duty.
Imagine that, not getting loaded and not going to jail.

Roger Maryatt, Fairfield