Nearly a year after Proposition 36 took effect, California district attorneys are calling for sustained state funding to support treatment programs for nonviolent offenders.
Prop 36, designed to tighten property and drug crime laws while expanding access to treatment instead of jail for those struggling with addiction, has shown promise—but inconsistent funding remains a major hurdle.
On Wednesday, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho and Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire emphasized that counties cannot build effective treatment programs relying on one-time allocations or federal grants, especially as federal funding for behavioral health services declines.
“Counties shouldn’t have to rely on grants or just hope they get money to fund these critical services,” Gire said. “It’s the state’s responsibility to ensure these treatment programs are fully supported.”
State lawmakers estimated that more than $600 million annually is needed to fully implement Prop 36. However, the governor and legislature have approved only a one-time $100 million allocation.
Ho stressed that reliable funding is essential to provide treatment and separate professional criminals from society. “We need the treatment aspect,” he said. “When we’re seeing devastating federal cuts, we need the state of California to step up and help local governments and law enforcement help people get the treatment they need.”
CBS Sacramento reached out to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office for comment on future Prop 36 funding but has not yet received a response.
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