The Influence of Local Contextual Characteristics on the Implementation of a Statewide Voter Initiative: The Case of California's Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (Proposition 36)

The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (SACPA), also known as Proposition 36, became effective on July 1, 2001. It allows certain nonviolent drug offenders into community-based drug treatment programs instead of incarceration. Funds have been allocated to the California counties for implementation of the law over a five year period. The program involves the cooperation and collaboration of professionals and agencies within the state’s two social service systems: criminal justice and public health. Initial evaluation indicates SACPA’s effectiveness in reducing jail and prison populations, saving funds, and providing drug treatment to a large number of SACPA recipients. The implementation process has faced a number of challenges that must be resolved to ensure Californians’ trust that treatment is more effective than punishment of drug abusers. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the SACPA initiative and present an analysis of its benefits and challenges. Additionally, suggestions are made for health educators’ intervention to ensure effectiveness of SACPA programs in improving public health.

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The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act: Challenges and Promises for Public Health

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v1i1.215 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 32-42

Author(s):

Behjat Sharif

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Drug Treatment ◽

Crime Prevention ◽

Implementation Process ◽

Treatment Programs ◽

Drug Abusers ◽

Drug Offenders ◽

Prevention Act ◽

Prison Populations

The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (SACPA), also known as Proposition 36, became effective on July 1, 2001. It allows certain nonviolent drug offenders into community-based drug treatment programs instead of incarceration. Funds have been allocated to the California counties for implementation of the law over a five year period. The program involves the cooperation and collaboration of professionals and agencies within the state’s two social service systems: criminal justice and public health. Initial evaluation indicates SACPA’s effectiveness in reducing jail and prison populations, saving funds, and providing drug treatment to a large number of SACPA recipients. The implementation process has faced a number of challenges that must be resolved to ensure Californians’ trust that treatment is more effective than punishment of drug abusers. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the SACPA initiative and present an analysis of its benefits and challenges. Additionally, suggestions are made for health educators’ intervention to ensure effectiveness of SACPA programs in improving public health

Download Full-text

The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v1i1.377 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 32-42

Author(s):

Behjat Sharif

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Drug Treatment ◽

Crime Prevention ◽

Implementation Process ◽

Treatment Programs ◽

Drug Abusers ◽

Drug Offenders ◽

Prevention Act ◽

Prison Populations

The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (SACPA), also known as Proposition 36, became effective on July 1, 2001. It allows certain nonviolent drug offenders into community-based drug treatment programs instead of incarceration. Funds have been allocated to the California counties for implementation of the law over a five year period. The program involves the cooperation and collaboration of professionals and agencies within the state’s two social service systems: criminal justice and public health. Initial evaluation indicates SACPA’s effectiveness in reducing jail and prison populations, saving funds, and providing drug treatment to a large number of SACPA recipients. The implementation process has faced a number of challenges that must be resolved to ensure Californians’ trust that treatment is more effective than punishment of drug abusers. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the SACPA initiative and present an analysis of its benefits and challenges. Additionally, suggestions are made for health educators’ intervention to ensure effectiveness of SACPA programs in improving public health.

Download Full-text