A Luzerne County man was placed in a special state prison program for drug addiction problems on Thursday in Carbon County court.

Robert Eugene Stalter Jr., 43, of Hazleton was placed in the state's intermediate punishment program by Judge Joseph J. Matika. Stalter previously pleaded guilty to two counts each of retail theft and receiving stolen property and one count of criminal conspiracy-retail theft.Stalter was charged with incidents that occurred on Oct. 5 and Dec. 5, 2014, at the Walmart store in Mahoning Township. He also admitted to three incidents in Rush Township at a Walmart store. There was also a theft incident at the Giant Market in Mahoning Township.Stalter admitted to a long-term drug addiction problem at the time of his plea and Matika signed an order sending him to a state prison to be evaluated for the state IP program. He was then found to be eligible.The state IP program is an intensive drug rehabilitation program that includes time spent in prison, then an inpatient rehab program followed by time in a halfway house. The placement is for two years.Matika also ordered Stalter to make restitution in a total amount of $389.51 and pay court costs of about $1,000.Stalter is currently in the state correctional institution at Camp Hill and appeared for the sentencing via video. He told Matika at the conclusion of the proceeding, "I'm looking forward to a life without drugs."