MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom will speak at a rally to promote the state’s drug court system.

“It gives offenders a chance to get hope back into their lives,” Backstrom said.

There are 50 drug courts in Minnesota, which serve adults, juveniles, families, veterans and others.

“There’s not too many places you hear from the county attorney and the judge how proud they are of what they are doing,” he said.

The courts use a team approach and include treatment and strict supervision of certain non-violent, drug-using offenders to get them on a path toward rehabilitation.

“In the long run it allows these individuals to get back into a healthy and law abiding life style, and there will be less crime as a result of these programs,” he said.

Backstrom said drug courts have been proven to save lives, reunite families and save taxpayers money.