Wyoming Drug Courts

  

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A DRUG COURT?

 

Of those who are incarcerated in Wyoming, more than 80% are involved in drug and alcohol abuse. The purpose of a drug court is to offer the participants the opportunity to obtain adequate and appropriate treatment that will facilitate and promote a lifestyle of recovery, thereby reducing the number of repeat offenders and reducing overcrowding in our detention centers.

 

WHO ARE KEY PLAYERS IN A DRUG COURT?

 

A drug court is unique in bringing the facilitating agencies to the same table for the benefit of the offender. The drug court judge, coordinator, prosecutor, public defender, treatment providers, law enforcement, and other agencies work together in collaboration to encourage the offender’s success. This collaborative effort also extends outside of the courtroom to other agencies helping the offender such as social services staff, health providers, job training representatives and others. The strength and effectiveness of a drug court lies in the communication between involved players. 

 

WHY A DRUG COURT?

            FACTS: (please put a “bullet” by each fact listed)

Alcohol-related fatal crashes in Wyoming occur at DOUBLE the US average

 

Hospital admissions for alcohol and drug-induced causes in Wyoming have increased nearly 25% over the last 10 years

 

Arrests for both drug-related crimes and assaults (which often involve substance abuse) have more than doubled in Wyoming in the last decade

 

Alcohol-related arrests occur in Wyoming at twice the national average

 

Fewer than 1 in 10 Wyoming residents who need substance abuse treatment receive it (Statistics taken from Wyoming Indicators of Substance Abuse: 1987-98 and Wyoming’s Youth: Indicators of Substance Abuse: 1987-98 by the Wyoming Department of Health)

 

Having a drug court in place will allow corrective actions to be taken when a drug or alcohol offender is identified through the judicial system

 

A drug court will interrupt the repetitive cycle of an offender by using rehabilitative measures

 

Rehabilitating an individual will save taxpayer dollars in several different ways:

            Treatment costs are less than jail costs

            Less crime will be committed to support substance abuse habits

            Less insurance costs

            Offenders become working citizens who pay taxes instead of using tax dollars

            Healthy parents caring for their own children

 

A drug court treats the problem, not the symptoms

 

WYOMING DRUG COURT LEGISLATION

 

W.S. § 5-10-101(a)

“The legislature recognizes that a critical need exists in this state for criminal justice system programs that will break the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction and the crimes committed as a result of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.”

 

W.S. § 5-10-101(a)

“Local drug court programs shall be facilitated for the purpose of:

            (i) Providing sentencing options for the judicial system to dispose of cases stemming                                 from drug use; and

            (ii) Combining judicial supervision, supervised probation, drug testing, treatment,                                      aftercare and monitoring of drug court participants.”

 

W.S. § 5-10-101(b)

“The goals of the drug court programs funded under this article include the following:

            (i) To reduce alcoholism and other drug dependency among offenders;

            (ii) To reduce recidivism rates in both drug use and criminal activity;

            (iii) To reduce the drug related court workload;

            (iv) To increase the personal, familial and societal accountability of offenders; and

            (v) To promote effective interaction and use of resources among criminal justice                                         personnel, state agencies and community agencies.”

 

HOW THESE GOALS ARE ADDRESSED

 

Retaining clients in treatment

            Treatment is a court requirement 

Intensive supervision

            Frequent judicial hearings provide constant oversight and help promote positive pro-                                 social relationships

Behavioral model

            Participants are given sanctions and incentives coordinated with their behavior

Ancillary services

            Needs of the “whole” person are addressed

            These may include: employment, education, mental health, and medical treatment

 

 

You can download the Department of Health, Substance Abuse Division Rules and Regulations for State Funding and Certification of Drug Courts (Adobe Acrobat file approximately 124KB).

 

Read further statutory authority on drug courts, their purpose and goals, establishment of, the drug court panel, local management committees, applications for funding, qualifications for funding, and conditions for admission as a drug court program.