1. ©CharlotteWethington2015

2. Let’s ponder:  What is advocacy?  Who advocates?  Why advocate?  Where?  When?  How? ©CharlotteWethington2015

3. : a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something Merriam-Webster ©CharlotteWethington2015

7. If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose. Bishop T.D. Jakes ©CharlotteWethington2015

9. There was no law, and then.... Casey died. ©CharlotteWethington2015

10. “Casey died and... An advocate was born” – Casey’s mom ©CharlotteWethington2015

11. The greatest oak was once a little nut that held its ground. ̴ Author unknown ©CharlotteWethington2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ

12. Why Casey’s Law? ©CharlotteWethington2015

14.  An involuntary treatment act in Kentucky for those who have a substance use disorder. ©CharlotteWethington2015

15.  Became a law on April 9, 2004  Effective July 13, 2004 for the state of Kentucky (KRS 222.430 – 222.438)  Inspired by the death of Matthew Casey Wethington who died of a heroin overdose at the age of 23 ©CharlotteWethington2015

16. What does this law provide? Who can use the law?  A means of intervening with someone who is unable to recognize his or her need for treatment due to their impairment  Parents, relatives and/or friends can petition the court for treatment on behalf of the person who is impaired regardless of age and without any criminal charges. ©CharlotteWethington2015

17.  Obtain the petition from: ◦ Your local Circuit Court Clerk’s Office – ask for Ask for the Verified Petition for Involuntary Treatment (Alcohol/Drug Abuse) otherwise known as form AOC 700A ◦ www.caseyslaw.org ©CharlotteWethington2015

18.  Two evaluations are required, one by a physician and the other by a qualified health professional.  The law requires that these evaluations be notarized and...  Returned to the court immediately upon completion, no later than 24hours prior to the court date. ©CharlotteWethington2015

19.  The petition is filed in the county where the Respondent resides, whether in a stable environment or homeless.  The Circuit Clerk’s office receives the petition and requires that the Petitioner sign a guarantee of payment for all court costs. ©CharlotteWethington2015

20.  The clerk’s office will ask for the names of the evaluators and will provide the necessary evaluation forms.  By law, a court date will be set within 14 days but may quite possibly be sooner. ©CharlotteWethington2015

21.  Locate a detox and treatment facility immediately after the court date is set.  The Petitioner has all of the rights and responsibilities when it comes to choosing the evaluators and the treatment facility, allowing the Petitioner to control the cost if any. ©CharlotteWethington2015

22.  The judge will determine if the Respondent is a danger to self and/or others and whether the Respondent needs and can benefit from treatment.  Based on the evaluations and the request of the Petitioner, the judge may order treatment for up to 60 and not more than 360 days.  In most cases, the Petitioner takes the Respondent to the facility that has been pre- arranged. ©CharlotteWethington2015

23.  The evaluators do not agree on the need for treatment or appropriate level of care?  There is no bed available for treatment?  The Respondent refuses to go for the scheduled evaluations?  The Respondent leaves the detox unit or treatment facility against court order?

24.  The Myths  The Misconceptions  The Misunderstandings ©CharlotteWethington2015

26. Passion + Purpose + Persistence = Power The power to make a difference! ©CharlotteWethington2015

27.  Casey’s Law in OH (Senate Bill 117) passed in 2012  There is a bill draft in New York State for a Casey’s Law  Family members from 25 states across the nation have inquired about how to initiate a Casey’s Law.  Efforts are being made to institute Casey’s Law as national legislation. ©CharlotteWethington2015

28. Today, because of Casey’s life and death, there are people living in recovery who may not have been had there not been a Casey’s Law. ©CharlotteWethington2015

29.  “Hitting bottom isn’t necessary and can be deadly”. ̴ Mick Meagher, author of Beginning of a Miracle: How to Intervene with the Addicted or Alcoholic Person  “The bottom line is this, people have to be alive to recover.” ̴ Charlotte Wethington, Casey’s mom ©CharlotteWethington2015

30. Recovery Advocate Transitions Inc. cwethington@transitionsky.org http://caseyslaw.org/ https://www.facebook.com/caseywethingtonact ©CharlotteWethington2015