A New Mental Health Era? Could This New Alabama Law Help Those With Mental Health Issues Avoid Jail?

On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a new law that some believe may aid in the treatment of substance use disorders. The Co-Occurring Treatment Law will make it easier for patients with mental health issues to seek treatment before law enforcement intervenes.

Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabama), who also works in law enforcement, helped drive the bill through the legislature. He claims that the statute incorporates substance use disorders into the terminology of mental health, allowing patients to use opioid settlement cash to obtain 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 are the major advocates for people who are involuntarily admitted for treatment.

Sonny Brasfield, executive director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, noted that the new law allows probate judges to assist in getting patients into facilities even after they have been jailed.

“The judge has no way of getting them there, which this measure solves as well. Giving the probate judge the authority to go to the criminal judge and request that the charges be put on hold so that the person can receive treatment,” Brasfield said.

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

Brasfield stated that the new law is a good first step in increasing the number of beds accessible in mental health facilities.