‘It works if you want it’: People charged with crimes find hope in county diversion programs

By: Makenzie Huber

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: September 4, 2026

Words: 2,146

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

Body Text Preview

Kayla Essem prayed she’d get arrested.

The 32-year-old from Sioux Falls said she had been on and off drugs since she was in high school — fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and meth. Addiction was the only thing she was destined for, she believed, after seeing family members struggle.

Years of drug use frayed her self-confidence and robbed her of stability. She and her partner split, so she saw her two children less often. …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us