MASON CITY - People connected with the Community Drug Court in Mason City say the state is being penny-wise and pound foolish in cutting the program in light of the state's economic problems.

"What's frustrating is that I understand that sometimes across-the-board cuts just have to be done," said Judge James Drew. "There is no other way to do something quickly.

"But I don't think there is any question that drug court was saving the state of Iowa money, and more importantly it was literally saving lives," Drew said.

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