substance abuse treatment

The Laramie County Jail launched a medication-assisted therapy program last summer. But one year in, access to the treatment is limited in county jails across the Cowboy State.

People recovering from addiction can sometimes have to wait for weeks or months to get into a residential treatment facility to get the help they need. Those shortages are especially felt in tribal communities in rural states like Wyoming and Montana – and last summer, inadequate treatment centers in Arizona made headlines for conducting a widespread Medicaid fraud scheme targeting Native Americans. But, a ten-acre ranch recently purchased by the Eastern Shoshone Business Council will help make that transition a little easier for tribal members.

The number of homeless in the city is estimated to be just over 200. The city says the increase is leading to them roaming the streets, loitering in the downtown area, and leaving at least 500 pounds of human waste. They've also been responsible for damaging a vacant hotel.

The county was chosen by the state to launch a pilot program in the hope that it can eventually be implemented in other counties, reduce recidivism, and create productive members of society.

The facilities will allow Volunteers of American to provide additional services and enhance their existing ones as the demand for them has risen. These include mental and behavioral health treatment, housing assistance for low-income and the homeless, addiction treatment, and transitional veterans housing, among other human services. The facilities are set to be completed in 2024. VOA also serves residents in all 23 Wyoming counties.

The Wyoming Rescue Mission in Casper provides a variety of services to help those who are homelessness or are experiencing other issues, such as addiction, become productive members of society. Because of its central location and what it offers, WRM is often a place that many homeless people in Wyoming eventually come to. The average length of stay is approximately 30 days.

A bill that prioritizes certain populations for access to state-funded mental health services passed the Wyoming House and is on its way to the…