About Us

Our coalition is dedicated to preserving Medi-Cal Drug Treatment Funding. - Four-Star General and former U.S. National Drug Policy Director Barry McCaffrey

"35,000-40,000 people will immediately have to go to hospital emergency rooms if drug treatment is closed down, or they may go to jail. It would be catastrophic to their lives, families, school, and jobs - and would cost the taxpayers far more than continuing treatment programs. The state would give up the matching funds from the federal government -- more than the $53 million the state now covers. This makes no fiscal, social or health policy sense. National studies have documented that methadone treatment saves the taxpayers $12 for every $1 spent. California studies put the figure at $7 return on each $1 invested in treatment. I urge California to sustain the drug treatment program, or the consequences would be devastating, not only for these individuals, but for California communities as well."

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca

"The State's proposed budget, cutting $55 million out of the Medi-Cal methadone program for 35,000 individuals in California, is tantamount to destroying the lives of 35,000 people, as well as having them return to addiction. The impacts are significant, and go beyond the patients themselves.

This particular initiative will result in the elimination of funding and the closure of drug treatment facilities, and that will directly impact our county jails, our state prisons, parole and probation departments, as well as hospital emergency rooms and public health programs."

California Opioid Maintenance Providers (COMP) - Jason Kletter, Ph. D., president of COMP

"35,000 people addicted to drugs will hit the streets the day after their treatment is withdrawn. Many of these individuals have already been to prison multiple times. Their lives are now stabilized and they are in treatment, but that stability will end with this cut," said. "Studies prove that most of these individuals will relapse to drug use. The governor's proposal will immediately increase crime, and cause chaos in our hospitals and other social services. The costs are much greater than the savings."

The mission of the California Opioid Maintenance Providers is: 1) to promote access to high quality treatment for opioid addiction, using medication and psychosocial interventions; 2) to disseminate information about medication assisted treatments in order to dispel myths, promote understanding and acceptance, and reduce stigma associated with these treatments; 3) to encourage clinicians, administrators and policy makers to use best practice models and interventions supported by research evidence; 4) to advocate for patients who use opioid medications as a tool in their recovery.

Others opposed to this State Budget proposal: