"It's significant that we have had 300 people of varying incomes to pay their own way to go through this program," said District Judge Eric Fancher, who handles the drug court docket on top of his normal docket of criminal cases and traffic tickets. "The participants have also done over 16,000 community service hours."

Drug court tries to get drug offenders into treatment and rehabilitation and not just lock them in prison. Charges are dropped upon successful completion of the intensive program.

Stacey Owens, the program administrator in Bessemer, said it is self sufficient.

Almost $230,000 - not including court costs - has been collected from those who go through the program. The Bessemer program has collected about $90,000 in court costs since its inception.

Drug court participation can cost anywhere from $550 to $1,100, depending on the amount of treatment a person needs. The program can last at least six months. Court costs run $400.

The program works, Fancher said.

"Recidivism is very low in this court," Fancher said. "Not all graduate, though. We have had to send some to prison or on supervised probation."

Fancher said he believes in second chances and is willing to extend them. If someone flunks out of the program, Fancher said, he gives the person the chance to return, but only if he pays all costs up front. Normally, participants are allowed to pay $200 a month.

"When you make an investment like that it shows just how serious you really are," he said.

Drug court graduations are held every two months.

"To start a program from scratch and see it be self sustaining, I think, is pretty good," Fancher said.

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