MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIATT) – On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed new legislation that some say will help treat substance use disorders.
Co-occurrence treatment makes it easier for patients with mental health-related conditions to receive help before law enforcement gets involved.
Rep. Russell Bedsall (R-Alabaster), who also works in law enforcement, helped get the bill through Congress. He said the law added substance use disorder to the mental health vocabulary and made opioid settlement funds available for patients to receive treatment.
“Throughout my career, I have noticed that people struggling with mental health issues turn to self-medication as a coping mechanism,” Bedsole said. “This results in dependency issues.”
Probate judges serve as the primary advocate for patients who receive involuntary treatment. Sonny Brassfield, executive director of the Alabama County Commission, explained that the new law allows probate judges to help place patients in facilities even after they have been arrested.
“Judges don’t have a way to get them there, but this bill also addresses that. Probate judges can go to criminal judges and file charges so that the person can receive treatment. to be able to ask for a hold,” Brassfield said.
Bedsole said he hopes the legislation will prevent overburdening the criminal justice system.
“Like I said, if they committed a crime, we have to do what we can to continue to protect our community,” Bedsole said. “But what we want to do is give them mental health help, not put them into the criminal justice system.”
Brasfield said the new law is a good first step toward increasing the number of beds available in mental health facilities.
