HI SCR154

Requests the Attorney General to assess the impact of diverting drug possession offenders from the criminal justice system to drug treatment programs rather than incarceration.

Directs the Attorney General to evaluate effects on the criminal justice system, drug treatment program resources, and public safety in consultation with police, prosecutors, public defenders, judges, corrections administrators, public health experts, treatment providers, and legal service providers.

Notes that incarceration costs $139 per day ($50,735 annually) per person while drug court treatment costs $8.77 per day ($3,201 annually), and drug court programs have less than 10 percent recidivism rates.

Requires the Attorney General to address the number of offenders eligible for diversion before and after charging, resource impacts on law enforcement and courts, treatment service needs and costs, and public safety effects including potential exclusions for offenders with violent histories.

Mandates submission of findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2012 Regular Session and requires distribution of the resolution to state and county officials.