Don't Let Lawmakers Roll Back Prop 36

DON'T LET LAWMAKERS ROLL BACK REFORM

The battle to protect Proposition 36, California's successful
treatment-instead-of-incarceration law,
has moved to the courts. You can help to protect this diversion
program--the largest in the country and a model for the rest of the
nation--by contributing now to the legal battle:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=9110&l=128201 .

After Sacramento politicians approved legislation that violates the
spirit and the letter of Prop 36, we and the California Society of
Addiction Medicine (CSAM) immediately filed suit. Just one day after
the governor signed the bad bill, Senate Bill 1137, we requested--and
won--a temporary restraining order to keep the pro-jail legislation
from taking effect!

We were successful in court two weeks ago, but this is just the
beginning of the legal battle. The next step will be to seek a ruling
on our motion for preliminary injunction, which would keep the law
from taking effect until the court rules on its constitutionality.

The hearing for the motion for preliminary injunction will take place
on September 14. To make sure we win, our legal team needs to
research and draft legal papers now. We will also need to draft
responses to the state's arguments, and appear and argue in court.

Unlike the supporters of Prop 36, the state has unlimited
resources--our tax dollars--to defend its bad bill. Your contribution
will help to even the playing field by allowing to us cover the
expenses associated with this legal battle. This is a fight to
protect Prop 36 and the principle at the core of this watershed law:
that nonviolent persons should be able to access quality,
community-based substance abuse treatment services without being
subject to incarceration. Please donate to make sure this principle
stays alive:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=9110&l=128201 .

Thank you for committing to this long fight, and working to make sure
California doesn't roll back the country's largest sentencing reform
since the end of Prohibition in 1933! With your support, the court
will uphold this national model for change.

Thank you,

Daniel Abrahamson
Director of Legal Affairs
Drug Policy Alliance

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