A Lansford man who stole pills from his roommate took them with the intention of ending his life, his lawyer told a Carbon County judge.

Joshua Green, 33, pleaded guilty Thursday to receiving stolen property before Judge Joseph J. Matika.Green's lawyer, Matthew J. Mottola, told Matika that Green had been in a "downward spiral" since the death of his parents, and suffered from depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.He took the pills, a painkiller called Soma, from his roommate on March 30, intending to kill himself.Green was taken to the emergency room before police arrived, according to a criminal complaint filed by borough officer Shawn Nunemacher.Green has since spent time in a hospital to treat his mental illness, and is now on medication.That helps, Mottola told the judge, but Green also needs to talk with a psychiatrist to get at the root of his problems, and there isn't one available at the Carbon County Correctional Facility.Matika acknowledged there are "limited, if any, services available in the prison, and that's unfortunate."So instead of a jail sentence, he placed Green on probation for a year so he can get the help he needs. He also ordered Green to perform 50 hours of community service, and get drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, and comply with any treatments recommended.Mental health and other services surfaced in other cases before Matika.Keith Evert, 26, of Lansford, pleaded guilty to simple assault for throwing a can of Arizona Iced Tea at his girlfriend, with whom he has two children, on May 23. Evert told Matika he has drug problems, and faces a probation violation charge in Schuylkill County. He told the judge he wants to go to Schuylkill because can get the help he needs there.But Matika reminded Evert he will be in Carbon County prison until December on an earlier charge of driving under the influence. Matika sentenced Evert to 21 days to 12 months, giving him credit for the 21 days he has already served while waiting for his day in court on the simple assault charge.Matika also ordered him to perform 50 hours of community service, and undergo drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations. His sentence will start after he completes the DUI sentence.Matika also warned Evert that he will be required to undergo urine screens, and there will be zero tolerance for any alcohol or illegal drugs found.In another case, Carl Lucas Jr., 37, of Wilkes-Barre, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of retail theft, his mother at his side.Lucas was charged on Dec. 3, 2013, after trying to leave the Family Dollar store in Lansford with a pack of batteries in his pocket. The officer who wrote the criminal complaint described Lucas as "wasted" at the time.The charge was elevated to a felony because he has three prior retail theft convictions.Lucas's lawyer, Paul Levy, explained that his client recently completed an inpatient program at Gaudenzia for alcohol and mental health issues. he's on medication now and staying sober through outpatient programs.Lucas' mother told Matika her son had "hit rock bottom" before entering the Gaudenzia program, and is now doing well and reunited with his family, although he lives in a recovery house."I want to live. I don't want to die," Lucas told the judge.Matika acknowledged it can be tough digging one's way back out after hitting rock bottom."Kudos to you for getting the help you knew you needed," he said.He sentenced Lucas to 100 days to 24 months in jail, giving him credit for 100 days in Gaudenzia. So Lucas will not have to go to jail.But Matika also ordered him to perform 25 hours of community service, and submit to urine screenings.