Pubdate: Sat, 25 Oct 2008 Source: Monterey County Herald (CA) Copyright: 2008 Monterey County Herald Contact: http://www.montereyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/273 Authors: Dean Flippo and Mike Kanalakis Note: Dean Flippo is the district attorney for Monterey County and Mike Kanalakis is the sheriff. PROPOSITION 5: A BIG WASTE OF MONEY Proposition 5 is misleading Californians to think that they can free addicts from drug dependence and end prison overcrowding by simply voting "yes." This misguided proposition will not only fail to produce the desired results, but will cost taxpayers billions of dollars and divert scarce resources from those who really want sobriety to those who simply want a "Get-Out-of-Jail Free" card. Defendants who sell drugs, commit arson of a structure or forest land, commercial burglary, vandalism, steal our cars and identities, traffic in child pornography, drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sexually exploit minors and the mentally disabled deserve incarceration. Under this proposition, if these criminals claim "the drugs made me do it" they will be referred to "drug treatment" programs that allow them to continue using drugs. They will not be incarcerated and will continue to be a public safety hazard. According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, Proposition 5 could cost $1 billion a year. The California Judges Association opposes Proposition 5 because its passage would clog the courts, straining limited court resources. The claim that Proposition 5 will save money because new prisons will not be needed is untrue. Proposition 5 assumes that everyone who receives drug treatment will complete the program and never commit another crime. There is no reason to believe that this program will be any more successful than Proposition 36, which, according to a UCLA study, has a failure rate of 77 percent. Under Proposition 5, Californians will pay twice - first for failed treatment and ultimately for incarceration. Under Proposition 5, prisoners may serve as little as one-third of their sentence. Once released, all but the most serious inmates will be supervised on parole for only six months. While on parole, these convicted criminals can test positive for drugs, commit new misdemeanor offenses, and abscond without fear of returning to prison. Proposition 5 also requires counties to provide child care and transportation for convicted criminals to attend drug programs that allow continued drug use by promoting "harm reduction therapy" aimed at teaching "responsible drug use." When the provisions of Proposition 5 prove ineffective, change can only be made by a four-fifths (80 percent) vote of the Legislature. Proposition 5 is well financed by billionaire George Soros. However, former governors Gray Davis, Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian oppose Proposition 5, as well as Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Dolores Huerta, MADD, Crime Victims United, Martin Sheen, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, California State Sheriffs Association, Chief Probation Officers of California, and the California District Attorney's Association. The diversity of those opposing Proposition 5 is indicative of its adverse impacts to all of our citizens, including those which it purports to help. Proposition 5's unproven programs will waste billions of dollars, allow criminals to escape punishment and lead to a significant increase in crime. Effectively decriminalizing a wide variety of criminal offenses greatly endangers the public. If Proposition 5 becomes law, crime will pay and law-abiding Californians will pay even more. Vote no on Proposition 5! Dean Flippo is the district attorney for Monterey County and Mike Kanalakis is the sheriff. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin