I just received notice of this from a UCLA alumni e-newsletter, but the article has been around for a few weeks. My apologies if this is old news to some.
UCLA conducted an evaluation/impact study of California's Prop 36 from the 2000 election, which puts more emphasis on treatment and less on incarceration, for non-violent drug offenders.
The policy, on the whole, appears to be a substantial money-saver, even with increased costs in some areas.
http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/...