New Alabama law expands mental health treatment for substance use disorders

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a new law some say will help treat substance use disorders.

The Co-Occurring Treatment Law will make it easier for patients with mental health-related conditions to get help before law enforcement has to get involved.

Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster), who also works in law enforcement, helped push the bill through the legislature. He says that the act adds substance use disorders to the language of mental health, allowing patients to use opioid settlement funds to get treatment.

“I’ve noticed that through my career that we’ve seen those individuals who are suffering from a mental health issue begin to take on self medicating as a way to cope,” Bedsole said. “What that’s done is created a dependency issue.”

Probate judges serve as the primary advocate for patients who are involuntarily sent for treatment. Sonny Brasfield, executive director for the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, explained that the new law permits probate judges to help get patients in facilities even after they get arrested.

“The judge has no way to get them there, and this bill addresses that as well. Giving the probate judge the ability to go to the criminal judge and ask that those charges be put on hold so that the person can get treatment,” Brasfield said.

Bedsole said that he hopes the act will prevent overburdening in the criminal justice system.

“If they’ve committed a crime, like I said, we have to do what we can to continue to protect our community,” Bedsole said. “But what we’d like to do is give them that mental health assistance and not enter them into the criminal justice system.”

Brasfield said that the new law is a good first step towards getting more beds available in mental health facilities.

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