The Orange, Durham, Person/Caswell Drug Treatment Court Collaborative will be working to improve services for drug court participants through mental health screenings, detox, access to life skills training and job placement programs. The Freedom House Recovery Center in Chapel Hill will be the provider for the services.

Judge Beverly Scarlett who oversees the drug court said the services are vital to getting people back on their feet.

"If we can create a better person who would not be prone to engage in those bahaviors, we don't have to worry about filling up the jail so quickly and releasing people who have not been treated," said Judge Scarlett.

The Collaborative will target 459 adults for enhanced and expanded drug treatment court services in the next three years.