cannabisnews.com: DA Won't Let Up on Drug Offenders DA Won't Let Up on Drug Offenders Posted by FoM on December 31, 2000 at 11:21:09 PT By Fred Ludwig Source: Bakersfield Californian The Kern County District Attorney's office will continue to prosecute drug-possession cases despite a ballot measure requiring treatment of nonviolent drug users.District Attorney Edward Jagels had said he might stop some of the drug prosecutions affected by the November passage of Proposition 36, saying the measure all but legalizes narcotics in some cases. But Jagels said last week he has decided, for now, to continue investing resources in those prosecutions, even though drug users affected by the state measure cannot be jailed.Those offenders will at least be under the supervision that goes along with probation, Jagels said.And they can be imprisoned if they violate probation for non-drug reasons, Jagels said.Other details about changes in the prosecution of such offenders still must be worked out before the measure takes effect July 1, Jagels said.Many users already are sentenced to drug-treatment programs instead of jail, but the programs will be less effective in many cases without the threat of incarceration for those who fail, prosecutors have complained.The measure was needed because just sending people to prison ignores the addictions causing the problems in the first place, said Kern public defender Mark Arnold. Treatment in those cases is a better use of public funds than prisons, Arnold said."If one thing has been proven by the war on drugs, it's that the current system does not work," Arnold said. "We have a large drug problem on our hands."The new law allocates $120 million a year across the state for treatment programs.Many Kern programs already have waiting lists. The new funds will not go far, said Kern's chief probation officer, Larry Rhoades."You're talking about a massive program," Rhoades said.Many effects of the new law remain unclear, such as what penalties are available when people fail court-ordered drug tests, Rhoades said.He said he is waiting for legal guidance from state officials on such questions. Source: Bakersfield Californian (CA)Author: Fred LudwigPublished: December 30, 2000Copyright: 2000, The Bakersfield CalifornianAddress: PO Box 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302-0440Contact: opinion bakersfield.comWebsite: http://www.bakersfield.com/Related Articles & Web Site:California Campaign For New Drug Policyhttp://www.drugreform.org/Is the Criminal Justice System Ready for Prop 36?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8170.shtmlA New Era for Drug Policy?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8167.shtmlWaiting for Politicians To Catch Up and Lead http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8151.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by sm247 on January 03, 2001 at 05:02:17 PT american dream then they wonder why people want to burn the flag welcome to our nightmare [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Frank on January 01, 2001 at 20:14:56 PT One Sick Puppy This prosecutor sounds like a real nut case. It’s obvious that the authorities and the police don’t give a damn what the voters say, they have become a law unto themselves. People need treatment not prison. These drug warriors are the “Lunatic Fringe”. I would like to see this jackass locked up for just one week in the conditions he sends others to. Maybe his addiction to the “Drug War” could be broken. However, I’m sure that many years of psychotherapy and Twelve Step meetings would be required. Also as a possible treatment: a course of Electro Shock Treatments to get his mind in order. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by MikeEEEEE on January 01, 2001 at 12:32:07 PT Stomp, stomp, stomp!!! Imagine the nazi's stomping out the door, no I won't, no I won't, I won't do it, stomp, stomp, stomp!!! I'm guessing we'll see al lot more of this as the rules change. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by jhgj on January 01, 2001 at 06:01:48 PT asia drug is very good and cannabis beer is to shit [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: