13th Circuit implements new mental health treatment in drug court

Commissioner Casey Clevenger announced on Tuesday that the 13th Judicial Circuit has implemented a Mental Health Track in collaboration with the Family Counseling Center.

“The circuit has wanted to add a mental health track to the Drug Court program in Boone County for some time,” Clevenger said.

Drug Court participants will be assessed by the counseling center and those with “co-occurring” substance abuse and mental health diagnoses will be able to receive treatments at the center.

“We are fortunate that we have had a Mental Health Court since 2003,” Clevenger said. “But it is not meeting all the needs of this community. We hope that growing the Drug Court with this new track will be able to provide the much needed mental health services to our co-occurring disorder population.”

“This is just another tool we can use to positively impact our circuit,” said Presiding Judge Kevin Crane. “I consider us lucky to have the partners we do.”