Dear Mr. Ramírez,

1. We would like to put additional money in drug treatment programs. This is important public policy. However, budget constraints will limit all programs in the near future. Unlike many other programs, at least Proposition 36 has a guaranteed source of funding.

2. We are in transition in California away from a strictly punishment approach to drug abuse. One must understand that many people see Proposition 36 as a radical change in policy and not as a cautious first-step. While the caller may wish that California harm-reduction strategies were much more extensive, Proposition 36 nevertheless is a harm-reduction program. Further, under Prop 36 each county creates a program within the guidelines of the Initiative. The less cautious counties can implement more aggressive harm reduction policies and have the opportunity to demonstrate the value of these approaches through required reports and data.

3. Methadone treatment has become more and more accepted in court-supervised drug treatment. It is our understanding that most Prop 36 courts allow methadone, as the Initiative effectively sanctions such treatment. Many drug courts were initially designed on a total abstinence model and the expectations and approaches of some judges will not change overnight. It should be noted that the Legislature has enacted a law stating that methadone treatment alone cannot be the sole basis for exclusion from a deferred entry (PC sec 1000) drug court program.

4. Dually diagnosed persons are an important concern. That was one of the issues I hoped to address this year. Unfortunately, our current budget crisis limits expansion of programs for such persons. I have stressed to drug treatment providers the need for providing mental health care for those who need it. Understandably, however, drug treatment providers are concerned about receiving adequate funding to run their programs, even without the expense of mental health services. Such "turf" problems are not easy to solve. It is important to understand that most agencies -- drug treatment or mental health -- want to do their jobs well and fully and they are concerned about taking on additional responsibilities. I will continue to address this issue.

Senator Bruce McPherson