PROP. 36 COSTS MAY BE PASSED ON TO COUNTY FUNDS COVER PLACING OF DRUG ABUSERS.Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer VENTURA - County officials are concerned they could be forced to pay the $2.8 million annual cost of funding Proposition 36, which places drug abusers drug abuser n → chi fa uso di droghe in rehabilitation rehabilitation: see physical therapy. centers, if state funding ceases next fiscal year. The Ventura County grand jury warned of the potential cost last week when it released a report critical of the way county government administers Proposition 36, or the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000. The 2004-05 grand jury found that county officials have failed to consider recommendations of last year's grand jury and have squandered squan·der tr.v. squan·dered, squan·der·ing, squan·ders 1. To spend wastefully or extravagantly; dissipate. See Synonyms at waste. 2. state funds, neglected to provide appropriate levels of treatment and oversight
Oversight may refer to:
adj. 1. Physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance. 2. Compulsively or habitually involved in a practice or behavior, such as gambling. clients, and neglected to protect the citizens of the county from crimes by unsupervised drug users. David Stoll David Stoll (born 28 February 1952) is an American anthropologist who specializes in socio-cultural anthropology and the study of violence. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Michigan and completed his Master's and Ph.D. at Stanford University. , program management analyst in the Ventura County chief executive's office, said county officials have responded to last year's grand jury recommendations by establishing a new Proposition 36 oversight committee made of officials from various departments, including the Probation Agency, the Behavioral Health Behavioral health was first used in the 1980's to name the combination of the fields mental health and substance abuse. As an example, an organization serving both mental health and substance abuse clients might refer to its practice as behavioral health or Department, Sheriff's Department, court system and chief executive's office. ``We feel that through the establishment of the new oversight committee we will be more responsive to the criticisms of the grand jury. We are all working together and exploring how to go about this,'' he said. County officials are concerned about the costs and are hoping legislation will be adopted in Sacramento to continue state financial support for the Proposition 36 program. ``We have to wait and see what the state does, but we are very concerned about the cost of the system. We would have to continue the program no matter what because it is a mandate of the people.'' This year's grand jury recommended that the county's Probation Agency take over as lead agency handling Proposition 36 offenders and that all the offenders be placed on formal probation. Proposition 36 was approved by California voters to place nonviolent first- and second-time offenders in drug-treatment programs rather sending them to prison. It was designed to maintain space in prison for more violent and dangerous criminals and at the same time help abusers through rehabilitation programs Noun 1. rehabilitation program - a program for restoring someone to good health program, programme - a system of projects or services intended to meet a public need; "he proposed an elaborate program of public works"; "working mothers rely on the day care . But the grand jury found that people with severe drug problems and extensive criminal backgrounds were being placed in the Proposition 36 program, and that some were reportedly free to continue using drugs and committing crimes to support their habits. Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks said he had a number of concerns about Proposition 36. ``We think that Proposition 36 is failing far more often than it is succeeding,'' he said. ``We've found that addictive personalities Addictive personality A concept that was formerly used to explain addiction as the result of pre-existing character defects in individuals. Mentioned in: Addiction respond better if there is a sanction sanction, in law and ethics, any inducement to individuals or groups to follow or refrain from following a particular course of conduct. All societies impose sanctions on their members in order to encourage approved behavior. and a reward. Proposition 36 took the sanction away. ``We're very concerned about people being allowed to have multiple positive drug tests that are not considered a violation of their probation. After the passage of Proposition 36, property crime immediately started to go up. We believe people that would have gone to jail before are out there committing property crimes. We believe the system as it's being applied now is having a negative impact on public safety.'' The grand jury found that operators of private drug-treatment centers were doing a good job, but not getting compensation from the government for some they are asked to perform. ``Any success that Proposition 36 has had in Ventura County is directly attributable to the dedication of the treatment providers,'' including private contractors, county employees and charities, the grand jury found. ``It is obvious that these providers believe in the work they are doing, and they have demonstrated that, if necessary, they would do it for free. ``The County of Ventura compensates outpatient outpatient /out·pa·tient/ (-pa-shent) a patient who comes to the hospital, clinic, or dispensary for diagnosis and/or treatment but does not occupy a bed. out·pa·tient n. treatment providers at the rate of about $9 to $10 per hour for group sessions and $18 to $25 per hour for private sessions,'' the grand jury found. ``There is no compensation for other services such as coordinating paperwork or providing documents to the (county's Behavioral Health Department).'' Eric Leach, (805) 583-7602 eric.leach(at)dailynews.com |
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