After public backlash against the original plan to eliminate the program entirely in 2003, County Executive Charlie A. Dooley decided instead to reduce Choices funding by 79 percent to $200,000 a year.

Since 1998, 82 percent of Choices graduates remained out of jail and drug-free for at least one year.

Despite its reported success, the program was forced to go from eight counselors to two, from 320 inmates in treatment to 147, and from a 120 day program to a 90 day one. Currently, there are only 51 inmates participating in the program.

A more recent study, conducted by Professor Donald Linhorst of St. Louis University's School of Social Services, found that 95 percent of Choices graduates remained off drugs and out of jail for at least a year. Linhorst plans to release a comprehensive study soon.

"I'm hoping it will lead other jails to consider funding these kinds of programs," said Linhorst.

"There's no shortage of studies that show how large a role drug addiction plays in criminal activity," said Herbert Bernsen, assistant director of justice services. "Breaking that addiction can only help keep people out of jail."