LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This week, representatives from the justice system, law enforcement, treatment providers and the medical community are meeting for a mental health summit in Louisville. 

The Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health is hosting the three-day event which began Wednesday at the Galt House Hotel. 

Charlotte Wethington, who attended the summit, has made it her mission to spare other families the pain she’s felt since losing her 23-year-old son Casey to an overdose in 2002.

“When my son was in crisis with his disease, there was no help for us as parents to intervene on the disease that was threatening to take his life,” she said. 

She helped get Casey’s Law passed 19 years ago.

It allows family and friends to petition the court for treatment on behalf of someone with substance use disorder.

“We certainly know that drug addiction is claiming a lot of lives and that families do need help,” said Wethington. “Regardless of their demographics, they need help.” 

Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter said the goal of the summit, “is to try to reduce recidivism and also over-incarceration of people who are charged with low-level crimes, nonviolent crimes and to keep them out of our jails ... to save taxpayers money ... to save all manner of resources that are used on incarceration of people who really probably can benefit more by mental health treatment as opposed to incarceration.”

The summit covers topics like diverting people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders from jail, barriers to behavioral health needs and support for veterans and students.