Proposition 36 Regional Coordinating Councils
On November 7, 2000, California voters passed the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000, also known as Proposition 36. The purpose was to enhance public safety by reducing drug-related crime and preserving jail and prison space for violent offenders. Proposition 36 amended existing drug sentencing laws to require that adult criminal defendants who are convicted of possession, use, transportation for personal use, or being under influence of a controlled substance be placed in drug treatment as a condition of probation, instead of incarceration. Proposition 36 also applies to State parolees who are convicted of non-violent drug offenses or who commit drug-related parole violations. Eligible offenders receive up to one year of drug treatment followed by six months of after-care. Vocational training, family counseling, literary training and other services may also be provided. Proposition 36 allows for the dismissal of charges upon successful completion of treatment.
In November 2000, the CCJCC established the Proposition 36 Task Force to coordinate the implementation of this new legislation. The taskforce was comprised of representatives from Department of Health Services, Alcohol and Drug Program Administration, Probation Department, District Attorney, Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender, Sheriff, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association, treatment provider representatives, the Narcotics Commission, the Mental Health Department, the Internal Services Division, the Superior Court, the Chief Administrative Office, County Counsel and the City Attorney’s office. Judge Ana Maria Luna was designated the chair. The Proposition 36 Task Force reports semi-annually to the CCJCC regarding its work and implementation.
The Alcohol and Drug Program Administration (ADPA) Office serves as the lead fiscal agency for Los Angeles County and prepares an annual report to the Board of Supervisors.
The Proposition 36 Task Force and APDA continue to improve the delivery of services to individuals through expanded services by adding new programs and making funding adjustments to existing programs according to utilization trends, continuing Regional Coordinating Council meetings to enhance community involvement and ongoing communication and collaboration with the Proposition 36 stakeholders, maintaining a helpline to assist all involved agencies and participants, educating the public on Proposition 36 and its implementation, maintaining the ADPA Proposition 36 website and enhancing the Treatment Courts and Probation eXchange (TCPX) System for data collection and program evaluation.