California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to cut $25 million from drug rehab programs sponsored by Proposition 36, which was approved by voters in 2000. Supporters of Proposition 36 have filed a lawsuit against Schwarzenegger’s attempt to enact tougher penalties for those who do not complete rehab, including more jail time. Governor Schwarzenegger has threatened to cut funding in response to the lawsuit.
A recent report by UCLA researchers states that one-third of those sentenced by the courts into rehab simply do not show up. Two-thirds of those who do show up for rehab fail to complete it. Only 25-percent of those sentenced to drug rehab in California complete the program.
Supporters of Proposition 36 say what is needed is more money for drug treatment and more intensive treatment programs. Proponents say that cutting funds is sending the wrong signal that drug addiction is a criminal act instead of a health issue, which flies in the face of the voter’s will when Proposition 36 was first enacted.