Every convicted felon in the Utah state prison system is being screened and assessed for addiction problems under a new state law, KCPW reported July 9.

Screenings under the state's Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA) began July 1. The legislation also creates new treatment beds and offender monitoring programs. Studies show that 85 percent of offenders in Utah prisons have addiction problems, but only 25 percent get treatment.

Under DORA, every inmate is screened for addiction but judges decide whether offenders are candidates for treatment as an alternative to prison. The statewide program is based on a two-year pilot program in Salt Lake City.

"The reality is that most low-level drug offenders in Utah aren't going to prison now," said Utah Division of Substance Abuse Assistant Director Brent Kelsey. "What we're trying to do with the Drug Offender Reform Act is provide smarter sentencing. In terms of having a criminal record or being on probation -- the Drug Offender Reform Act doesn't change any of that."