NEVADA CITY ” Nevada County needs nearly $20,000 more to help drug addicts receive longer lengths of treatment through the county’s drug court program, said Doug Carver, the county’s chief probation officer.

Today, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors will likely approve a more costly contract with Rocklin Community Counseling Center to treat an increase in addicts with longer-care needs.

Funds to increase the contract to $44,590 from $24,990 come from the state’s drug court program, which remains controversial.

“The addiction is more entrenched for these people,” Carver said Sunday.

The Rocklin center can treat Nevada County’s drug court clients for up to eight months, he said.

“We’re saving prison beds this way,” Carver said.

More than 2,000 drug courts are in existence or planned nationwide, according to the National Drug Court Institute.

Proponents argue they reduce the chances of a relapse and are less costly than locking up an offender. Critics question the so-called recidivism rates, quality of the screening process and cost benefits ” worrying about a “revolving door” of offenders.