As a condition of probation, the court would require participation in and completion of an appropriate drug treatment program. Upon successful completion of a treatment program, the defendant could petition for dismissal of the drug-related charge. If the court found that the defendant successfully completed drug treatment and complied with other conditions of probation, the charges woud be dismissed and the arresst would be erased from the defendant's record. Failure to successfully complete a treatment program would result in the defendant's sentencing under pre-existing law, which provides for one to three years in prison. Substance abuse treatment is a proven public safety and health measure.
Evidence shows that drug treatment plans work.
This initiative is cost effective and will result in savings of taxpayer dollars. Jails and prison cells would be preserved for serious and violent offenders. The Humboldt County Public Health Department has set seven priority areas for 1999-2000. Humboldt has the fifth highest chlamydia rate in the state. Our emphasis has been on getting all sexually active adolescents to get screening for chlamydia once a year even if asymptomatic.