What is Casey’s Law?

Casey’s Law refers to the Matthew Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse Intervention. The law became effective in Kentucky in 2004 and was inspired by Casey Wethington’s death of a heroin overdose at age 23

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The law allows the parents, relatives, or friends of an addicted person to lawfully intervene and request involuntary, court-ordered addiction treatment for their addicted loved one.

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For more information on Casey’s Law, visit odcp.ky.gov/Stop-Overdoses/Pages/Caseys-Law.aspx .

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Here are the STEPS involved in Casey’s Law.

1. You (the petitioner) must complete this petition .

2. Also complete this form.

3. File these petitions with your county's circuit clerk. 

4. The court will review the petition, take an “under oath” statement from you, and make a decision.

5. If the court agrees that there is probable cause to proceed with the process, the addicted person will be notified and a hearing will occur within two weeks.

6. The addicted person will be assessed by two healthcare professionals, one of which must be a physician.

7. The court will decide whether or not the addicted person must complete involuntary addiction treatment (duration of treatment: between 60 days and 360 days).

8. You (the petitioner) will then be responsible for (A) locating a treatment facility and (B) paying for the addicted person’s treatment if fees apply.