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ODGEN, Utah (AP) — Fewer people are enrolling in Utah's drug courts after the state launched a criminal justice reform three years ago that reduced some drug felonies to misdemeanors.
The Standard-Examiner reports that participation is down by about 10 percent in the approximately 60 Utah drug courts, which are designed to give addicts a path to recovery.
Weber County Attorney Chris Allred says enrollment in in the Ogden area's drug court is down by about 30 percent.
Allred says some people are choosing to spend a few days in jail on a misdemeanor drug offense instead of going through the rigorous drug court program.
Under the drug court program, a person could plead guilty to some drug offense. The charges would be dismissed if that person completed a lengthy rehabilitation program.
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Information from the Standard-Examiner.
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