Pubdate: Mon, 27 Oct 2008 Source: Napa Valley Register (CA) Copyright: 2008 Lee Enterprises Contact: http://www.napavalleyregister.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/736 Author: Sheila M. Daugherty SUPPORT TEENS, VOTE YES ON PROP. 5 Dear editor, As an individual who has worked with alcohol and drug-involved teenagers for many years, I am urging the passage of Proposition 5, the NORA initiative. Non Violent Offenders Rehabilitation Act is much like the previously passed Proposition 36 initiative that brought money to all counties for substance abuse treatment rather than incarceration. Many Napans have seen the amazing success of our drug courts and realize that for every dollar spent on treatment, we save $7 in the criminal justice system. What most individuals don't know is that there is almost nonexistent funding for juvenile alcohol and drug treatment in all 58 counties of California. Napa County is lucky to have the Wolfe Center and local funders, such as Auction Napa Valley, the Gasser Foundation, and the County of Napa. However, we continue to seek funds for our teens' treatment. The Wolfe Center is providing prevention and early-level treatment services in the middle and high schools of Napa County. Napa, like every other county, has high incidences of alcohol and drug abuse but we know through research that providing treatment at an early level to these teens will prevent them from increasing the severity of their addiction. Approximately 80 percent of teens involved in the criminal justice system are substance abuse-involved and usually under the influence while committing their offenses. Of course, the cost of treatment versus incarceration is mind-boggling. According to a recent study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's "Reclaiming Futures" juvenile treatment costs $3,000 per year in comparison to incarceration costing $40,000 per year! The Wolfe Center believes in intervening before criminal activity occurs. However, our funding is limited and criminal justice clients can be served well by this proposition, leaving other funding sources for our much-needed school services. Please support our Napa County Teens by supporting Proposition 5 and vote yes. Sheila M. Daugherty Napa - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake