My daughter, a vibrant soul and a true beacon of light, before domestic violence, mental health and addiction took over her life, tragically lost her life while under a Casey Law Petition. Every year, many like my daughter become victims due to the inequalities and shortcomings of our present system. Casey's Law, officially known as the Matthew Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse Intervention, is intended to permit parents, relatives, and friends to request court-ordered drug treatment for their loved ones, regardless of their consent (source: Caseyslaw.org). However, the urgent need for better enforcement and enhanced monitoring processes is clear. A report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals that about 20.3 million people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year (source: SAMHSA's 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health). This calls for an immediate and comprehensive revision of the law. By signing this petition, we can influence decision-makers to mitigate these foreseeable tragedies and safeguard those under Casey's Law by reinforcing its enforcement. Please sign and share this petition. Together, let's ensure that the tragic loss of lives like my daughter's is not in vain.

As a Parent that had to utilize Casey's Law, the following problems became obvious: implicit biases were expressed multiple times and were inconsistent with the statute requirements.  I was turned away several times in the filing process and given misinformation. Her case was even wrongfully dismissed at the first hearing.  Throughout the process I was informed I had no "mouthpiece" to assist with enforcing the order after it was finally approved.  Addiction is, in and of itself an unstable condition - When calling to update the County Atorney office I was told "I can't go back and forth like this," as if I had control over the situation.  Several calls and pleas for help were ignored and I would be told to reach out to the alternate County for assistance, although there was no point person for me to connect with.  

You see my daughter had no criminal charge history when we started the filing process.  She obtained a felony possession charge during the filing process in an alternate county, and she finally admitted to having an addiction problem, and the Casey Law was granted.  The substance when finally tested after she was permitted to enter a plea, turned out to not even be a substance months after the fact.  To accept a plea deal in any criminal case, you have to agree you are not impaired. But for someone under a Casey law filing that is exactly what the family is saying that the impairment is so severe that they are unable to make decisions for themselves at this time.  For an alternate county to engage in proceedings while a record of Casey Law is clearly pending is a miscarriage of justice unless acknowledged in that proceeding.  Allowing persons affected by addiction to choose from diversion or probation while an existing Casey Law Order has been granted, gives them enough rope to hang themselves, and is the perfect setup for failed diversion, probation, and death.

The idea of a case manager within the AOC and a specialized Casey law process would have allowed for awareness between counties of status updates, as the clock was ticking in the final precious hours of her life.  Proceedings in one county, were ignored by another.  Additional changes needed are: documenting deaths of those of those turned away from Casey Law proceedings and why they were not permitted to file, documenting deaths for those that die while under the Casey law order, reinforcing oversight in the Casey Law processes (pickup orders & Warrants for noncompliance) which does not allow for one County Attorney to control the outcome of a petition, and ultimately the life of an individual, and or to continue to mitigate those responsibilities to an alternate County without proper due process.  

A systemic change in our communities where substance abuse is rampant and families are in distress may involve enhancing court processes in Casey's Law, further including family members in the recovery process. A multidisciplinary team meeting process including the loved one suffering from addiction and the Casey Law Petitioner should exist outside of the courtroom. Inclusion of family members and involvement of loved ones enhances, heals, and furthers familial resources which, the one struggling with addiction may have strained in their illness. 

Additionally, on one occasion I was told "It's not personal, we just have too many cases."  If the County Attorneys are too busy with too many cases, then a specialized program similar to Mental Health Courts and Specialty drug courts should be created for Casey Law.  As someone that worked in a Specialty Court, is a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor, and has a degree in mental health, I experienced all of the above culminating in my daughter's death.  What does that say for someone else that does not have that same level of education and experience that is trying to access help for their child?  Please sign my petition to protect our young adults, daughters and sons.

I started blogging my experiences months before my daughter died: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561631293723