TULSA, Okla. — A bill to abolish the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is garnering a lot of reaction.
People who dealt with mental health and substance abuse said this would be a big mistake, crediting the department for their recovery. So 2 News Oklahoma started asking questions.
We got numerous emails from people wanting to question the lawmaker who created HB 1343. Representative Justin Humphrey is not a stranger to controversial bills. Most recently, making headlines for wanting to change the name of the Department of Corrections to the Department of Corruptions.
WATCH: Proposed bill sparked anger:
2 News sat down with two Tulsans who shared their recovery story, one thanking women in recovery prison diversion programs.
After talking with them, 2 News asked Humphrey about why he drafted the bill. He said he created the bill not to abolish the department but to start a conversation.
"Here's the thing we need to hold them accountable. We need to say 'it's time y'all do your job, and if you can't do it, then y'all need to get out.' And what are the problems? Let's identify the problem," said Rep. Humphrey.
He said the issues lie in mental health cases ending up in Oklahoma prisons. The Department of Corrections is being forced to handle people in mental health and substance abuse crises. He said if this pattern continues, the funding from the DMHSA needs to go to the places where some cases end up.
He clarified he was not looking to abolish the department but used this bill to highlight an issue. Humphrey said he wants other state legislators to support funding to get everyone's support.
One of the things he pushed is additional facilities for inpatient mental health and substance abuse care. He said he understands he made people fearful with this bill.
"If I'd come out and said it in a nice little way, nobody, not one person would have listened. Now that I have the attention of the entire state, then I will say, 'Hey, look at what I'm talking about"' said Humphrey.
The bill is in early stages and can be rewritten and re-introduced.
READ HB 1343:
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