To: The California State Senate
Bring Some Sanity to the "War on Drugs"
Addiction is a health issue, not a felony offense. Pass Senate Bill 649 to reduce prison overcrowding, save taxpayer dollars, and stop treating non-violent drug addicts like they're armed robbers.
Why is this important?
The so-called "War on Drugs" has turned a public health problem into a multi-billion dollars taxpayer boondoggle. Sen. Mark Leno's Senate Bill 649 would move California towards a smarter, humane, cost-effective system. It would reduce overcrowding in our prisons by allowing prosecutors to charge non-California drug possession as a misdemeanor, rather than a felony.
SB 649 would free up funds currently supporting jails to be used for drug treatment instead. Studies show that in the 13 states that classify drug possession as a misdemeanor, treatment rates are higher and incarceration rates are lower, with no increase in crime.
SB 649 would free up funds currently supporting jails to be used for drug treatment instead. Studies show that in the 13 states that classify drug possession as a misdemeanor, treatment rates are higher and incarceration rates are lower, with no increase in crime.