GREENVILLE, S.C. -- There's a new kind of court coming to three upstate counties, and if it's successful, it could save those communities hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The 8th Judicial Court Circuit has implemented a new Drug Court plan. It will serve offenders in Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens and Newberry counties.

State statistics show that 8,000 people a year in South Carolina die from drug and alcohol abuse-related problems.

Court officials said that the 8th was the only circuit in the state that didn’t have a drug court program.

Solicitor Jerry Peace wanted to start a program since taking office in 2004, but it was delayed due to funding issues.

Peace said that over the years, he set money aside from his budget to fund the $75,000 program.

Drug court gives people who plead guilty to a felony a chance to avoid prison time -- that is, if they successfully complete the 18-month program.

It includes getting treatment and undergoing drug tests several times a week, as well as intensive counseling.

“If you can get some of these participants to be productive citizens, then we're not just putting people through the system,” Drug Court coordinator Windy Mallon said.

Peace said that the program will reduce the backlog of court cases and put a dent in the $2.5 billion spent in problems related to drugs.

"It gives a person an opportunity for redemption. It gives them an opportunity to get off drugs. It helps prevent crimes in the long run," Drug Court Judge Frank Addy said.

Only people with non-violent drug-related offenses are eligible for the program. Drug Court is scheduled to start in October.