To end the era of street homelessness in California we need the state of California to do its part — starting with reforming state laws that contributed to a dramatic increase in homelessness by taking away most court-mandated treatment for substance abuse.

A state measure called Proposition 47 passed by voters in 2014 was well-meaning, but we are now living with its unintended consequences, including a rise in retail theft, increased drug overdoses and a spike in our homeless population. We now know that this measure is driving the spike in retail thefts, which we all pay for with higher prices. It is driving a rise in drug overdoses, since it took away most of the tools judges once used to require drug and alcohol treatment. And it created a spike in homelessness, because treatment — particularly court-mandated treatment — was helping people recover so they could stay off the streets.

Join San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Sacramento County DA Thien Ho, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen as we launch a non-partisan campaign for Proposition 36 to require treatment and accountability.