ISAP is engaged in an evaluation of the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (SACPA, also known as Proposition 36). The evaluation will assess

• cost-offset resulting from SACPA; and
  
  
• SACPA's effects on public health and public safety via changes in crime, drug use, and other outcomes.
  
  
• the effects of ongoing innovations to improve implementation.
  
  
• barriers to success for special populations, and recommendations to address them.

The California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) selected ISAP to conduct the initial evaluation in June 2001. A second round of evaluation began in 2007.

Under SACPA, adults convicted of nonviolent drug possession offenses can receive drug treatment in the community instead of incarceration or community supervision without treatment. Offenders on probation or parole who commit nonviolent drug possession offenses or who violate drug-related conditions of probation or parole can also receive treatment in lieu of re-incarceration.

The evaluation will be closely watched nationally and, along with evaluations of drug courts and other initiatives such as the Drug Medicalization, Prevention, and Control Act of 1996 ("Prop 200") in Arizona, have major implications for the evolution of criminal justice policy regarding the drugs/crime connection.

Updated on: March 21, 2007