©CharlotteWethington2015. Let’s ponder: What is advocacy? Who advocates? Why advocate? Where?...

Heroin Addiction in the Community:

A Pre-Treatment Perspective

©CharlotteWethington2015

Let’s ponder:

What is advocacy? Who advocates? Why advocate? Where? When? How?


Advocacy

Passion

: a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something Merriam-Webster


If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.

Bishop T.D. Jakes


Purpose


There was no law ,

and then. . . .

Casey died.


“Casey died and. . . An advocate was born” – Casey’s mom

From Passion to Purpose. . .


The greatest oak was once a little nut that held its ground. Author unknown

From Purpose to Persistence


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ

First Follower Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy.htm

Why Casey’s Law?


Matthew Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse

Intervention


An involuntary treatment act in Kentucky for those who have a substance use disorder.

What is Casey’s Law?


Became a law on April 9, 2004 Effective July 13, 2004 for the state of

Kentucky (KRS 222.430 – 222.438) Inspired by the death of Matthew Casey

Wethington who died of a heroin overdose at the age of 23

History of the Act


What does this law provide? Who can use the law?

A means of intervening with someone who is unable to recognize his or her need for treatment due to their impairment

Parents, relatives and/or friends can petition the court for treatment on behalf of the person who is impaired regardless of age and without any criminal charges.


Obtain the petition from:◦ Your local Circuit Court

Clerk’s Office – ask for Ask for the Verified Petition for Involuntary Treatment (Alcohol/Drug Abuse) otherwise known as form AOC 700A

◦ www.caseyslaw.org

First Step


Two evaluations are required, one by a physician and the other by a qualified health professional.

The law requires that these evaluations be notarized and. . .

Returned to the court immediately upon completion, no later than 24hours prior to the court date.

Schedule the Evaluations


The petition is filed in the county where the Respondent resides, whether in a stable environment or homeless.

The Circuit Clerk’s office receives the petition and requires that the Petitioner sign a guarantee of payment for all court costs.

Filing the Petition


The clerk’s office will ask for the names of the evaluators and will provide the necessary evaluation forms.

By law, a court date will be set within 14 days but may quite possibly be sooner.

More about filing the petition


Locate a detox and treatment facility immediately after the court date is set.

The Petitioner has all of the rights and responsibilities when it comes to choosing the evaluators and the treatment facility, allowing the Petitioner to control the cost if any.

Making arrangements


The judge will determine if the Respondent is a danger to self and/or others and whether the Respondent needs and can benefit from treatment.

Based on the evaluations and the request of the Petitioner, the judge may order treatment for up to 60 and not more than 360 days.

In most cases, the Petitioner takes the Respondent to the facility that has been pre-arranged.

The Court Date


The evaluators do not agree on the need for treatment or appropriate level of care?

There is no bed available for treatment?

The Respondent refuses to go for the scheduled evaluations?

The Respondent leaves the detox unit or treatment facility against court order?

What if. . .

The Myths

The Misconceptions

The Misunderstandings

Casey’s Law


From Persistence to EmPowerment


Passion + Purpose + Persistence =

Power

The power to make a difference!

ADVOCACY


Casey’s Law in OH (Senate Bill 117) passed in 2012

There is a bill draft in New York State for a Casey’s Law

Family members from 25 states across the nation have inquired about how to initiate a Casey’s Law.

Efforts are being made to institute Casey’s Law as national legislation.

Currently. . .


Today, because of Casey’s life and death, there are people living in recovery who may not have been had there not been a Casey’s Law.

AND, because of passionate, purposeful and persistent advocacy efforts of empowered people, Casey’s Law continues to give those who have substance use disorders and their families hope for recovery.


“Hitting bottom isn’t necessary and can be deadly”. Mick Meagher, author of Beginning of a Miracle: How to Intervene with the Addicted or Alcoholic Person

“The bottom line is this, people have to be alive to recover.”

Charlotte Wethington, Casey’s mom

Bottom Line


Charlotte Wethington, M.A.

Recovery AdvocateTransitions Inc.

[email protected]

http://caseyslaw.org/https://www.facebook.com/caseywethingtonact


©CharlotteWethington2015. Let’s ponder: What is advocacy? Who advocates? Why advocate? Where?...

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