However, court officials remain concerned that $1.4 million over three years may not paint a clear picture of what DORA could actually accomplish if implemented statewide.

"It's going to be a sketch rather than a portrait," said Assistant State Court Administrator Rick Schwermer. While DORA originally called for all felony drug suspects to undergo a screening process to identify those who would best benefit from treatment, Schwermer said current tight funding will not allow for that. The court would likely have to focus on a limited group of first-time drug offenders only.

Susan Burke, director of the Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council, said the fact that the Legislature chose to revisit DORA in a special session is significant.

"This (bill) is a reflection that the Legislature thinks this is an important issue," Burke said.

The council will oversee the study and will give the Legislature annual updates until the final report is released in June 2008. The pilot study is expected to start as early as July 1 of this year.

Burke said 250 drug offenders will be put through the program and will be compared to a control group of other drug offenders, who will go through the current judicial system without the benefit of DORA treatment. The study will compare if DORA had a dramatic effect in keeping drug offenders out of trouble.

During the last Legislative session, DORA received broad support from Legislative leaders, the attorney general, the courts and the governor. However, many blame a funding stalemate between the House and the Senate between funding for DORA and funding for a new veterans nursing home in Ogden. In the end, no compromise could be reached, and both bills weren't funded.

The veterans nursing home is also before the special session; however, Buttars said he does not see the two bills at odds anymore.

"Both of them will pass, and I certainly plan to vote for both of them," Buttars said.

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