For the past 12 years as sheriff, I have been advocating that more services be made available for individuals suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders.

Until the recent opening of the Spurwink 24-Hour Crisis Center, there were very few alternatives for law enforcement officers to find assistance for these individuals. The only options were taking them to the emergency room or county jail. Bringing the mentally ill to jail, in most cases, is not the appropriate or acceptable way to address mental illness, or the mental health crisis in this state.

Recently, the Legislature considered several bills in an attempt to reduce the overincarceration of individuals suffering from substance use disorders and mental illness. If the Legislature wants results to substantially reduce the inmate population in Maine’s jails, then it is imperative they be aggressive with their solutions. Using Maine’s jails as a de facto mental health hospital and/or detox facility is not a viable resolution.

Substance use disorders and mental health issues are considered medical illnesses. Treating these individuals through incarceration does nothing to address the root cause of what is a medical problem.

The Legislature needs to find a way to provide services and resources for those people suffering. It cannot, and should not, be left to the county jails to solve medical diagnoses that the communities themselves should have resources for. These individuals should not have to enter the criminal justice system in order to receive the help they need and deserve.

Kevin Joyce
sheriff, Cumberland County
Standish