On the 20th anniversary of “Casey’s Law,” Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) is reminding Kentuckians about this powerful life-saving tool they can utilize to help loved ones impacted by substance use disorders.
The Matthew Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse Intervention (“Casey’s Law”) was passed by the Kentucky General Assembly two decades ago and officially took effect on July 13, 2004. This innovative law has become instrumental in helping families navigate the court system — allowing parents, relatives and/or friends to intervene on behalf of someone caught in the grip of addiction, regardless of age and without criminal charges.
“When an individual struggles with addiction and refuses treatment, family members can feel helpless,” said Vanessa Keeton, ARC Vice President of Marketing. “Thankfully, ‘Casey’s Law’ provides friends and family the power to get their loved ones the help they need before it is too late.”
“Casey’s Law” is named in honor of Matthew Casey Wethington, who tragically died of a drug overdose at age 23 after his family was unable to intervene on his behalf. Casey’s mother Charlotte, who is now an ARC team member, has dedicated her life to advocating for treatment and recovery.
Parents, relatives and friends can begin the “Casey’s Law” process by filing a petition with their local District Court Clerk. The three-page petition requests the court to order treatment for their loved one.
The court will review the petition and determine whether there is probable cause to order treatment, and if so, the individual will be evaluated by a physician and one other health professional to ensure they will benefit from treatment. (The ARC team recommends that you schedule these evaluations before filing a petition with the court.)
The last step is for the judge to order treatment. The treatment options can vary based on the individual’s needs, from detox/withdrawal management to residential treatment.
While the court system can sometimes be confusing to navigate, ARC employs a skilled team of “Casey’s Law” advocates, who are on standby to assist with this process. You can contact them by emailing caseyslaw@arccenters.com or calling 606-658-8338.
Full details about the “Casey’s Law” process is available here.
