February 2021
Full Court Press is the newsletter of the University of Baltimore School of Law Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC).
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Opioid Overdoses Up During Covid-19 Pandemic |
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By Barbara A. Babb
This cross-sectional study analyzed nearly 190 million emergency department (ED) visits in 48 states [data obtained from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] for the period December 30, 2018, through October 10, 2020, and then focused on about 6 million visits involving mental health. The study's authors found that the rate (per 100,000 ED visits) of all drug overdoses increased 23% in 2020 over 2019 and opioid overdoses increased 31% for the same period. The study also included data comparisons for intimate partner violence, suicide attempts, mental health conditions, and suspected child abuse and neglect. The authors noted that "Overdoses exhibited great increases in weekly counts in 2020 compared with 2019. That all drug and opioid OD ED visits did not decrease in a similar manner to other ED visits [total ED visits declined by about 11% in 2020 over 2019] is especially compelling, suggesting an increase in OD burden during the pandemic."
Prior to this study, the CDC already had reported that overdose deaths were accelerating, driven by increases in synthetic opioids, such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl. More than 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, according to the CDC. The agency attributed some of the acceleration to the disruption in daily life due to the pandemic.
The cases that come through our court system reflect and respond to what is occurring in our communities. It is disheartening to learn that, having made some progress in curbing the opioid epidemic, we again must prepare for increased court caseloads involving substance use disorders. Many experts say this is likely to be a long-lasting consequence of the pandemic. CFCC's new Benchbook for Family Courts on Substance Use Disorders, Second Edition can educate judges and attorneys on substance use disorders and their treatments. I encourage you to take a look and consider this important resource for you and your colleagues.
Barbara A. Babb is the Founder and Director of the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts.
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Benchbook for Family Courts on Substance Use Disorders Just Released |
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The University of Baltimore School of Law Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts recently has released its new Benchbook for Family Courts on Substance Use Disorders, Second Edition (Benchbook).
The Benchbook is a valuable resource to improve decision-making and outcomes in family law cases that involve substance use. The Benchbook provides an authoritative and concise description of addiction and substance use issues; presents information regarding best practices, resources, and science; and suggests ways judges, magistrates, and others in the family court system can work more effectively with treatment providers to resolve family problems.
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are some of the most critical and pervasive public health problems of our time. Judges, attorneys, court staff, and other professionals working with families may not have a complete and current understanding of SUDs, the causes, the symptoms, and the available treatments. Without that understanding, both the families and the court system are destined to experience a revolving door of repeat court appearances and unresolved family crises.
The Benchbook for Family Courts on Substance Use Disorders provides valuable insight into the science of addiction, the treatment of SUDs, how SUDs affect children and families in many family law cases, and how family courts can intervene in ways that lead to better outcomes. The good news is that with a recognized neurobiological basis for substance use disorders, there is potential for recovery. Evidence-based interventions can prevent harmful substance use and related problems, and the courts have considerable power to influence individuals suffering from these disorders.
Authors of the Benchbook include Professor Barbara A. Babb, CFCC’s Director; Gloria H. Danziger, Esquire, and former CFCC Senior Fellow; The Honorable Susan L. Dobrich, The Honorable Peggy Fulton Hora (who passed away in October 2020); and Rebecca M. Stahl, Esquire, and CFCC Deputy Director. “We cannot announce this work without acknowledging the tremendous contributions of Judge Hora, a dear friend to me and a respected colleague,” Professor Babb said. “She was a driving force on the Benchbook and wrote several chapters.”
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Please Join Us to Celebrate CFCC's 20th! |
We are getting together to celebrate CFCC's 20th Anniversary and the 15th Anniversary of our Truancy Court Program on Zoom, Thursday, April 8, 5:30 to 7 pm. Please join us to toast CFCC's 20 years! All are welcome. Register here.
This virtual event is a wonderful opportunity to mingle with old and new colleagues, including UB faculty and staff, CFCC staff, CFCC Student Fellows, attorneys, judges, legislators, and services providers, who support CFCC’s work. Enjoy an interview with Professor Barbara Babb about CFCC’s founding, take an exclusive peek into the workings of CFCC’s Truancy Court Program, and much more. There will be many opportunities for questions and dialogue!
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Noteworthy
Presentations, Collaborations and Events
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April 8, 2021, 5:30 to 7 pm — 20th Anniversary Virtual Celebration of CFCC and 15th Anniversary Virtual Celebration of CFCC’s Truancy Court Program. Mark your calendars now and register here. All are welcome!
Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 — The University of Baltimore Law Review will publish a symposium issue (Spring 2021) devoted to therapeutic jurisprudence scholarship, and Family Court Review, published by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, will feature a special issue (July 2021) consisting of articles focused on family law/therapeutic jurisprudence topics. Stay tuned for links to these important issues!
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Authors Barbara A. Babb and Judith D. Moran envision the family court as a "care center" and make a compelling case that reforms to the family justice system are necessary to achieve positive, long-lasting outcomes for families and children.
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CFCC's Truancy Court Program Toolkit, Second Edition provides a step-by-step guide on how to start and maintain an effective truancy reduction program. The Toolkit can be adapted to suit individual schools or entire jurisdictions.
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About CFCC
The Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC) promotes policies and practices that unite families, communities and the justice system to improve the lives of children and families and the health of communities. CFCC advocates the use of therapeutic jurisprudence, the understanding that the legal system has an effect on behavior, emotions and mental health.
CFCC is led by Barbara A. Babb, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law; Founder and Director of the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts; Director of the Post-J.D. Certificate in Family Law program at the University of Baltimore School of Law; and Editor-in-Chief of Family Court Review, published by Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.
CFCC Staff and Contributors
Rebecca Stahl, CFCC Deputy Director; Michele Hong, CFCC Program Manager; Arion Alston, Truancy Court Program Mentor; Spencer Hall, Truancy Court Program Coordinator; Katrice Williams, CFCC Program Administrative Specialist.
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