The state has announced its first so-called drug court in the city, which will order treatment instead of potential jail time.

The Bronx Criminal Court will provide a drug treatment course through the Overdose Avoidance Recovery program, or OAR, as an alternative to time behind bars.

People facing misdemeanor drug possession charges will be eligible to head to drug treatment without posting bail. After satisfactorily completing the treatment, the case against them will be dismissed. People facing violence charges or who have orders of protection against them are not eligible. People who fail the program will proceed in court as normal.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark says the move will lower the incarcerated population and save lives.