Governor Newsom announced accelerated distribution of Proposition 1 bond funding. Although Proposition 1 was not supposed to pay for locked treatment facilities, Tuesday’s press event told a different story.

Newsom hailed last year’s passage of SB 43 to make conservatorships easier to impose on people. 11th hour changes to the legislation that became Proposition 1 authorized locked treatment.

DRC opposes Governor Newsom’s behavioral health system reforms which expand forced treatment. Using Proposition 1 money to build locked facilities will harm people with mental illness and substance use disorders. 

Treatment is more likely to succeed when people are invested in their own recovery. Force and coercion are not the answer.

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of drc is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. For more information visit: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org.