Criminal justice clients in Mears make their way into alcohol and drug treatment facilities because they were found guilty of crimes relating to drugs, whether they were selling drugs or were in the possession of or found to be high on drugs. Many judges put these types of individuals into the drug treatment system mainly due to the fact that they believe that treating them is more effective for society and for the individual, rather than sending them behind bars with no rehabilitation at all. This has been verified to be extremely workable not only in helping and rehabbing this type of client in Mears, but also in helping them stay sober and in many instances out of the criminal justice system permanently.