UCLA researchers release profile of proposition 36-eligible drug...( In the first release of findings from a...),Health

In the first release of findings from an evaluation of California's Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (SACPA), UCLA researchers report that the law enacted by voters as Proposition 36 placed more than 30,000 drug offenders in treatment during its first year -- more than half in treatment for the first time.

About half of SACPA offenders in treatment identified methamphetamine as their primary drug problem, and researchers reported overall treatment retention rates comparable to non-SACPA treatment clients. The evaluation identified about half of SACPA clients as whites, 31 percent as Hispanics and 14 percent as African Americans. Seventy-two percent were men.

The independent evaluation by UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs researchers offers the first profile of the flow of offenders through the SACPA pipeline across all 58 California counties during the 12 months ending June 30, 2002. The research group, part of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, will issue reports in the future on SACPA's fiscal impact and effectiveness.

"The program introduced thousands of new clients into local drug treatment systems during its first year. It's critical to note that SACPA participation is voluntary; it reflects an affirmative decision by eligible offenders," said Douglas Longshore, a behavioral scientist at the research group and the study's principal investigator.

"The level of participation in year one is notable when considering the high level of collaboration required among local agencies involved in planning and administration; coordination of assessment, treatment and supervision of offenders; staff training; and problem solving," Longshore said. "Despite the challenges and ongoing concerns over funding, most county representatives offered favorable reports on local implementation."

Among the findings:

• The court found 53,697 drug offenders eligible for SACPA during the law's first year, and 82 percent (44
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Contact: Roxanne Moster
roxannem@support.ucla.edu
310-794-0777
University of California - Los Angeles
17-Jul-2003


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