Pubdate: Thu, 14 Sep 2000 Source: Casper Star-Tribune (WY) Copyright: 2000 Casper Star-Tribune Contact: P.O. Box 80, Casper, WY 82602-0080 Fax: (307) 266-0568 Website: http://www.trib.com/ 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart