The cuts, passed earlier in 2003, forced the closing of 53 treatment programs statewide and prompted a strong advocacy effort to get the money restored. In late December, all but $2 million of the treatment funding was put back in the budget.

Deb Beck, executive director of the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania, said lawmakers responded to lobbying by treatment providers, law enforcement, civil-liberties groups, and people in recovery. Each day of the legislative session, 200-500 constituents met with lawmakers to press the case for restored funding, and legislators also were greeted by advocates when they returned home to their districts.

"There has been lifesaving work done here by the House and Senate," said Beck. "The desperation of families with an untreated addiction -- there is no measure for that."