SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Clutching a picture of her daughter who died from fentanyl, Gina Chavez said she wants to support efforts to hold those who sell fentanyl more accountable.

And why she gathered with city leaders and business owners in support of Proposition 36.

“This proposition is a step in the right direction,” Chavez said. “It’s a step. And also acknowledging that there are things that lead people to addiction and homelessness and retail theft, but also that we want to hold them accountable and not just let them off the hook.”

A lot of talk around prop 36 has been about its repeal of the 2014 ballot measure prop 47, that downgraded certain theft and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

Which many blame for the rise in retail theft.

Prop 36 would impose mandated drug treatment for some drug crimes, add new penalties for some theft and drug offenses and add new sentencing enhancements that would apply to any crime.

It would also add Fentanyl into the same category as hard drugs like heroin, add greater consequences for drug dealers whose sales kill or seriously injure someone, and give judges greater authority to put those convicted of fentanyl crimes into treatment.

One of the most important factors said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

“It is time to respond with all of the tools at our disposal,” Mahan said. “Starting with proven and required treatment for addiction. Every night in California, we are losing our friends, family and neighbors to fentanyl overdoses.”

Latest data from the state justice department shows nearly 4,000 Californians died from fentanyl in 2020.

Prop 36 has split democrats with possibly its biggest opponents being the state’s top two democrat leaders, Speaker Robert Rivas and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The governor has repeatedly spoken against the bill saying it would lead to higher rates of incarceration and pointing out in July about the potential high cost of the changes.

“I disagree with them on this issue, vehemently disagree with them on this,” Gov. Newsom said. “I hope folks take a look at this initiative, not what they [the vote yes on prop 36 campaign] say it is, but what it actually is. Where do the dollars come from? How do we finance this?”

In response to the governor’s cost issue, Mayor Mahan said it’s worth considering the long-term cost.

“I respect and understand that the governor, the speaker, have a budget to balance,” Mahan said. “So, do we [mayors]. We understand that. But I would say if you do the analysis in the long run, it is cheaper to get people into treatment.”

The issue is one Chavez said she’ll continue to speak out on.

“Help take our state back and to make it safer and better for our law-abiding citizens, our victims and survivors,” she said.

So Chavez said her daughter’s death may help lead to change.