Governor’s Budget Fails to Fund Proposition 36 Drug Treatment
Proposition 36, overwhelmingly passed by voters in November 2024, is operating as intended with real results, particularly here in Tulare County, but California Governor Gavin Newsom’s May budget revision fails to fund treatment programs necessary to the goals of the law.
Currently, the Office of the District Attorney has filed felony charges in 97 Proposition 36 eligible drug cases since the law’s implementation in mid-December 2024. Of those 97, 30 defendants have pleaded and are enrolled in a drug treatment plan, and 24 are currently being evaluated for program placement by Tulare County Health and Human Services. Four defendants were convicted of felony crimes and received state prison sentences, 8 were convicted and sentenced to county jail, and 2 are pending sentencing. Twenty-nine defendants are currently pending case resolution.
“In Tulare County, 56% of offenders are getting the treatment they need, or are preparing for treatment, with just a little under 5% of offenders being sent to state prison,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. “It is evident that Proposition 47 was a failed experiment. Our data from Proposition 36 proves we are addressing the drug crisis and bringing real, tangible accountability.”
Proposition 36 imposes stricter penalties and mandated treatment felony charges for possession of hard narcotics, like fentanyl, for those with two prior related convictions. Prior to the passage of Proposition 36, many drug possession crimes could only be filed as a misdemeanor, which caused enrollment in drug treatment programs like drug court to plummet across the state.
Despite Proposition 36’s intentions and readily apparent successes, Governor Newsom’s proposed California budget fails to fund drug treatment providers, such as Tulare County Health and Human Services.
“Prosecutors across this state now have the tools to effectuate meaningful change by providing defendants who have drug addiction issues treatment in lieu of prison. Yet Governor Newsom continues to fantasize about Proposition 36 causing prison overcrowding. In just six months, Tulare County has proven him wrong. Now, it is time for him to wake up to reality and provide the necessary funding for Proposition 36 drug treatment,” continued Ward.
The public is encouraged to contact the governor’s office and state legislators to demand funding for Proposition 36 drug treatment funding.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494