House Bill 1405, signed into law by the governor in a special ceremony, encourages the use of drug court programs as an effective, lower-cost alternative to incarceration for juveniles pleading guilty to non-violent drug-related crimes. The law also establishes standard procedures for the state's ten drug courts, where individuals undergo mandatory substance abuse treatment and graduate far less likely to be arrested again.

"Once we place a child in a correctional facility, there's a good chance we've lost that child as a productive member of society," said Oklahoma State Representative Ray Young (R-Yukon). Young introduced the bill after one of his constituents, a drug counselor, explained the obstacles blocking juveniles from participating in drug court programs.

"Despite all the obstacles that were out there, I think the district attorneys did a great job utilizing the drug court program. Unfortunately, the lack of a state law that specifically addressed juvenile drug courts made it very difficult. Hopefully, [the new law] will make their jobs easier."