Family members, friends and fellow participants gathered Mondayto see six more graduate from Judge Keith Starrett’s Drug Courtprogram in Lincoln County.

Starrett said the 19-month-old program is continuing to paydividends.

“The financial savings to the taxpayers has been in excess of $1million,” Starrett said. “That’s a pretty good bit of money.”

The program produces savings by giving people an alternative toprison and by encouraging them to stay drug- or alcohol-free. Drugcourt participants are required to make weekly appearances beforeStarrett, attend Narcotics Anonymous or other meetings, and undergostrict drug testing.

Monday’s was the second graduating class from Lincoln County andraised the graduate total to 15, Starrett said.

“Nine graduated in April,” the judge said.

During drug court sessions, Starrett is fond of saying there aretwo ways for participants to get out of drug court: graduate or besent to prison. Graduates still face the possibility of prison asone graduate lapsed in efforts to stay clean and was sent to thepenitentiary, Starrett said.

Starrett expected the openings created by Monday’s graduation tobe filled soon.

“We’ll be back up to capacity before long,” the judge said.

Capacity for the three counties in Starrett’s district is 80.Generally, he said, there have been about 40 participants fromLincoln County with the rest split between Pike and Walthallcounties.

“Each county is not allotted a certain number,” Starrettsaid.

Also, although a person may be sentenced to drug court in onecounty, they may report to court officials in another, Starrettsaid.

“They are able to transfer around the district,” the judge said,citing job considerations as a big factor in where a participantreports for drug court.