Interview with Charlotte Wethington, January 7, 2019

Interview Summary

Charlotte Wethington talks about her son Matthew Casey, who died of a heroin overdose in 2002, and discusses the many obstacles family members face when trying to get a loved one into treatment, particularly when the individual is over 18. She tells the story of how she worked with Kentucky legislators to pass "Casey's law" following her son's death, as well as the complexities surrounding individual civil liberties, the nature of addiction, and the concept of involuntary treatment. Wethington also talks about how almost two decades later, Casey's law is being used more frequently by parents and family members as the opioid crisis has become widespread.

Interview Keyword

Casey's Law court-ordered involuntary treatment Northern Kentucky addiction substance abuse recovery parenting heroin

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Interview Usage

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