A person has developed a substance use disorder and they are in crisis — what comes next? Is it the first step in a longer journey? How will it affect their freedom if placed in the criminal justice system?
Those questions, and many more, were addressed Thursday and Friday at the 36th Judicial Circuit Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Mapping Workshop, which was held at TRC. Leaders from Butler, Carter, and Ripley counties were encouraged to share ideas and to ask questions, all in an effort to help improve community-based solutions for justice involved individuals with mental and substance use disorders.
“This really is a collaborative effort with stakeholders in the system to help identify ways to utilize resources to help the indiviudal before they get too far along in the system,” 36th Circuit Presiding Judge Kacey Proctor explained. “We want to be able to identify what gaps exist in our current level of resources, in order to improve the services.”
Proctor pointed out individuals with substance use disorder or mental health issues can get lost in the shuffle of the criminal justice system, and incarceration is not always the answer.
“In most cases, you have a drug dealer and a drug user,” Bishop Ron Webb, pastor of Mount Calvary Powerhouse Church of God, noted during a workshop break. “In my opinion, yes, the dealer should probably be incarcerated, but the drug user is battling a disease and they need help that they won’t get in prison.”
The workshop allowed professionals from law enforcement agencies and recovery/treatment programs within the community to share ideas and information on their services.
The SIM map showed the first interception between an individual and the community services, and then tracked through the different interception phases, ending with community corrections.
“This model was developed by the Office of State Courts administration,” Proctor explained. “It’s being used in every county in the state, and the goal is to see improvements in the long-term from this.”
During the workshop, everyone in attendance was encouraged to answer questions and share their concerns with each other.
“It would be nice to be able to find out what services/facilities a person needs how to set that up for them pre-trial,” Proctor stated. “It would be nice to have someone on the payroll that works for the court and can evaluate whether a person might be a high risk or present further problems that need to be addressed pre-trial.”
By focusing on strategic planning and collaboration, Proctor hoped to develop an action plan that will address all cases involving mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders.
“I would really like to thank several people for what we’re able to do today,” Proctor said. “I would like to thank Johnna Craft from PBRMC for planning the workshop; Dr. Wesley Payne, president of Three Rivers College, for allowing us to utilize the Three Rivers campus; Robbie Myers, Butler County Emergency Management director for playing an integral part in the planning and execution of the workshop; The Honorable Judge Steven Lynxwiler, Associate Circuit Judge of Carter County and the Honorable Judge Devin Kirby, associate circuit judge of Ripley County for their participation and assistance in the execution of the workshop; All members of law enforcement, attorneys, elected officials, mental health professionals, emergency responders, court clerks, court staff, and other community partners that attended and participated in the workshop. I need to also thank the Honorable Judge Wade Pierce, associate circuit judge in Butler County for his participation as well.”
The workshop concluded at 12:30 p.m. Friday afternoon following much discussion and communicating between multiple agencies.
“All of these guys are really valuable and know what they’re doing,” Webb remarked. “I think we’re just really fortunate to have a judge on the bench who is also a former prosecutor and is very focused on this and getting better outcomes.”