State Leaders, Voters, Discuss 2 Initiatives On November Ballot

State leaders met with voters Thursday evening to discuss two initiatives ahead of the November vote.

State question 780 seeks to reclassify some low level offenses. If passed, offenses like drug possession would go from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Read More About State Question 780

State question 781 would give prison savings back to the county to fund mental health programs and substance abuse treatment.

Read More About State Question 781

Backers of the initiatives hope to reduce the number of people going to jail while providing treatment for those who need it.

Chair for Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, Kris Steele said, "What this proposal seeks to do is actually invest in treatment, in mental health care to help people who battle addiction and/or mental illness in the community, rather than through incarceration."

Steele said by passing both initiatives the state could save thousands of dollars.