<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4cXzX6_0w89H17x00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4cXzX6_0w89H17x00" width="800" height="450" ></figure>SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Today, Northwest Louisiana’s Council on Alcoholism &amp; Drug Abuse (CADA) launched a mobile response team to help with mental health or addiction.The team will be able to respond to calls from individuals, first responders, or emergency rooms.“It’s really important that we meet people where they are, with people who can understand and relate to them almost immediately,” said Janet Miller, Executive Director for CADA. “Our organization has been known for 68 years to treat substance use. What we’ve decided was to take this outside of the office, and into people’s neighborhoods and places people actually are in crisis.”Similar programs have been deployed in other parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Alexandria. CADA’s team will be available now in nine parishes in Northwest Louisiana, including Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster.Shreveport Police Officer Clarke Jackson said he feels this team has been needed for several years now.“A lot of times the stigma of going to police deters people from getting the help that they need,” expressed Jackson. “So if you have mental health professionals come directly out, a lot more people would get the help that they need quickly.”The team will consist of licensed mental health practitioners, professional counselors, social workers, and peer support specialists.“The goal is to be able to relate to those that we help,” said Peer Support Coordinator Austin Theriot, who is responsible for putting the team together. “It would have meant a lot to me back when I was struggling to have someone with some lived experience to come serve as a cheerleader through my journey, so I’m excited to be able to do that.”The team will be available seven days a week, from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. The team can be contacted at 318-222-8511.Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. </div></body>

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Mental health, addiction response unit now available in northwest Louisiana

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Today, Northwest Louisiana’s Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (CADA) launched a mobile response team to help with mental health or addiction. The team will be able to respond to calls from individuals, first responders, or emergency rooms. “It’s really important that we meet people where...