Oklahoma, like other American states, has a growing crime rate that is associated with alcohol and drug addiction. The scenario of substance abuse in Oklahoma is getting a worse name because of the increasing crime rate that is associated with it.

It is little wonder then that Oklahoma has begun providing substance abusing criminals the option to enter into a rehabilitation center. These court-ordered rehabs have a dual advantage for the state of Oklahoma. One, they help the person to recover from the addiction and to look forward to living a sober life which directly brings down the crime rate and two, they are proving to be very cost effective to the state.This simple figure proves how the drug courts are proving more economical to the state. The cost for Oklahoma to imprison a person is about $16,000 on an annual basis. But it takes only $5,000 per year to house the person in a drug court. This is a direct saving to the state. The effects of these savings are reflecting on the common population of Oklahoma, because if all the drug and alcohol influenced criminal offenders were to be housed in drug courts, then the taxpayers would find a very significant lowering in the amount of tax they pay per year.

In addition, the drug courts are providing the vast benefit of training these offenders to get back to a normal life without the influence of the substance. Compulsory continuing care sessions assure that the person does not have a relapse and that he or she does not become a repeat offender. This saves on recurrent jailing costs. Whichever way you look at it, the drug courts are highly beneficial in solving several problems related with drug addiction in Oklahoma.