"There is treatment out there, that's true on paper," said Utah County Attorney Jeff Buhman. "But we only have enough resources to treat a relatively small (population)."

Because the need keeps increasing, Buhman said he wonders why it comes down to money.

"I understand what the research says about being most effectively spent," he said. "But part of the program should be who merits the expenditure of tax dollars. I think there should be a balance."

Besides, drug court doesn't just eliminate costs of incarceration.

"Those people who remain addicted to drugs have children going into foster homes ... have a hard time holding jobs, a whole variety of societal costs," Buhman said.

"There's only so much money," said Joe Chamberlain, an Adult Probation and Parole officer who coordinates with 4th District Court for the last-chance drug court. "We have to figure out a criteria where we can help the people who need it the most. (But) there's a limited pot of money, we can't help everybody. That's just an unfortunate fact. In a perfect world, everybody who needs substance abuse treatment would get it."

Adjusting to the change

Although many say they're frustrated with the change, they knew it was coming.

Bruce Chandler, program services manager over the county's in-house treatment programs, indicated the state had been strongly hinting at such a change for several months, although on July 1, the move was final.

But is it a good idea for Utah County?

"No and yes, and yes and no and no and yes and yes and no," Chandler said, indicating how conflicted he is about the switch. "I think ... (drug court has) made a difference in a lot of people's lives, we've saved the county and the state a whole lot of money and (kept) people from being re-incarcerated."

However, Chandler also acknowledges the fact that the tougher population often costs society a lot of money.

"There are people far less likely to change their lives without a pretty serious intervention like drug court," he said.

But what about those who aren't the "tougher population," like Diamond?

"The toughest part is the concern ...(for) the ones we know are extremely high need of treatment, but are low risk for the criminality, and how are they going to access treatment," Chandler said.

That's what defense attorney Gunda Jarvis wants to know.