TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services

Substance Use & the Law: A Practitioner’s Guide to Diversion, Court Systems, and Advocacy

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Training Title:

Substance Use & the Law: A Practitioner’s Guide to Diversion, Court Systems, and Advocacy

Facilitator: Dr. Kerry L. Shipman, J.D., MPA
CEU Categories: Substance Use Disorder-Specific (SS), Ethics

Course Overview:

Behavioral health professionals frequently work with clients who are justice-involved due to substance use disorders (SUD). This course is designed to bridge the gap between clinical practice and legal systems by equipping providers with a deep understanding of how the law intersects with substance use treatment. Drawing on real-world experience from the courtroom and clinical settings, this training unpacks diversion options, court procedures, involuntary commitment laws, and ethical responsibilities in navigating client rights and mandated care. Participants will also explore current policy shifts and develop advocacy strategies to reduce harm and improve outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the legal landscape surrounding substance use, including how clients encounter the justice system through arrest, court, and mandated treatment.
2. Identify diversion and alternative-to-incarceration programs for clients with substance use disorders and learn how to help clients access them.
3. Explain the involuntary commitment process (IVC) for substance use and mental health, and the role of clinicians in navigating ethical dilemmas related to autonomy and safety.
4. Examine recent policy changes and legislative trends in North Carolina and beyond related to SUD and criminal justice reform.
5. Apply ethical principles in documentation, testimony, and treatment when clients are court-ordered or involved in the legal system.
6. Develop strategies for practitioner-led advocacy within the legal system to support recovery, reduce incarceration, and promote dignity for people with SUD.

 

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