LEGISLATORS CONSIDER STATEWIDE DRUG COURTS

SHERIDAN, Wyo. (AP) - Drug courts could be expanded statewide as part of
the answer to Wyoming's burgeoning drug abuse problems, according to the
chairman of a legislative subcommittee looking at the issue.

The drug abuse subcommittee of the Legislature's Labor, Health and Social
Services Committee will probably propose a statewide system of drug courts,
according to state Rep. Doug Osborn, R-Buffalo.

"Everybody says we need a system to help these individuals and provide
community support," Osborn said. "They need help to stay away from the
influences that lead them to substance abuse."

The subcommittee is surveying Wyoming's substance abuse services and
studying whether those services are meeting needs of residents in the state.

The subcommittee is scheduled to present a status report to the committee
as a whole later this month.