Six months ago, nearly 70% of California voters sent a clear and urgent message: they want real, lasting solutions to the overlapping crises of addiction, homelessness, and repeat crime. With overwhelming support, they passed Proposition 36 – a landmark measure that diverts low-level, nonviolent drug offenders away from jail and into court-supervised treatment programs that address the root causes of addiction.
As Los Angeles County District Attorney, I see every day how addiction drives the cases that enter our justice system. Substance use disorders fill our jails with individuals who need treatment more than punishment. Their addictions tear families apart, contribute to chronic homelessness, and put communities at risk. Californians understood that the status quo wasn’t working—and they voted for a better path.
Prop. 36 represents a practical and compassionate shift in how we respond to nonviolent drug offenses. It reflects a consensus that treatment works, and that for many offenders, rehabilitation is a smarter, more cost-effective alternative to incarceration. This is not new or untested. Drug courts and other diversion programs have long shown they can reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars, and enhance public safety.
But our current system isn’t scaled to meet the need. Prop. 36 builds on these proven models by expanding access to drug courts and giving prosecutors, judges, and treatment professionals the tools they need to hold people accountable while helping them rebuild their lives. Crucially, it creates treatment-mandated felonies – ensuring that individuals cannot simply cycle through the system without consequences, but must finish treatment or face sanctions.
Unfortunately, the clearly stated will of the people cannot be implemented without resources. That’s why I was alarmed to see that the Governor’s revised $322 billion state budget, released this week, includes no funding whatsoever for Prop. 36’s treatment and diversion programs.
This is a glaring – and dangerous – oversight. Without funding, counties will be forced to turn away eligible individuals. Existing programs will be overwhelmed. The cycle of addiction, crime, and incarceration will continue unbroken. And the voters who demanded change will be left with an empty promise.
To their credit, many lawmakers have shown real commitment to implementing Prop. 36 in good faith. But the governor’s budget, as currently written, undermines that progress. There’s still time to correct course – and doing so must be a priority for the State Legislature.
This is not simply about line items or budgetary math. It is about lives. Treatment isn’t just more humane – it’s more effective. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, every dollar invested in addiction treatment yields up to seven dollars in reduced criminal justice and healthcare costs. People who complete treatment under court supervision are significantly less likely to reoffend. That’s real public safety, delivered more compassionately.
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If we are serious about reducing crime and homelessness, restoring accountability, and offering hope to those caught in addiction, then we must fully fund Prop. 36. It is fiscally smart, morally right, and overwhelmingly supported by the people of California.
Voters don’t want more rhetoric. They want results: safer streets, healthier families, and a justice system that works for everyone. There is still time to honor that vision.
Nathan Hochman is district attorney of Los Angeles County.
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