The drug treatment court program in Wyoming has changed the lives of convicted individuals by giving them a second shot at life. Usually, their families, health and dignity are gone by the time they show up at drug court. Often, they are repeat offenders who have been convicted of a variety of offenses, but not necessarily a drug sale or use. Instead, maybe a lifetime of drug use led them to a litany of theft charges and disorderly conduct citations. Perhaps they were dealers or purchasers. Either way, this is their last shot at a sober life outside of custody.

The "average" 12-year-old at St. Joseph’s Children's Home, a psychiatric residential treatment facility in Torrington, has already lived in five out-of-home placements, ranging from foster care to jail. All patients are severely and emotionally disturbed boys and girls, ranging in age from six to 12, who have survived abuse and trauma. Many of their parents are dead or in prison. When the children arrive at St. Joseph’s, all avenues have been exhausted. Currently, there are 29 patients at St. Joseph’s (17 boys and 12 girls) and a waitlist of 18, with five children expected to be admitted this week.