Substance Use Disorder in Arkansas
Our Goals
Design and build a statewide legal services referral network
Build statewide capacity to meet the civil legal needs of the SUD/OUD rural population
Engage the community through its partners in prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Our Clients
Individuals who are at risk for, have been diagnosed with, and/or are in treatment and/or recovery.
Their families and/or caregivers
Other impacted community members
Attorney Sarah Cowan, from our Benton office, talks with KARV (93.1 FM) radio host Johnny Story about the impact of opioids in Arkansas and why a program like Beyond Opioids is necessary. She also talks about the legal issues faced by persons in recovery as well as the legal impact it has on their loved ones/family because of substance use disorder (specifically dealing with family law matters). Visit www.arkansaslegal.org/radio-on-the-air or click the image above to learn more.
Breaking Legal Barriers for families in recovery
For over fifty-five years, CALS has advocated for low-income Arkansans, protecting their rights to remain in stable housing, ensuring they are receiving the financial and medical benefits they are qualified to receive, and helping their families stay safe and together when possible. CALS works with the local justice systems, state administrative agencies, and social service providers, allowing its attorneys to educate each system about the legal effects that its decisions may have on the other systems’ interactions with its clients. By investing in standardized legal aid as a component of the SUD/OUD crisis response, there is a higher likelihood that all members of an individual’s recovery support network will understand the implications of their decisions and work together to avoid creating legal barriers to the individual’s successful recovery.
CALS is working hand-in-hand with community partners and relevant stakeholders to serve Arkansans and their families struggling with the effects of opioids. Our work is not limited to opioids; we can help with any substance use disorder. Additionally, this work is not limited to our service area. We have partnered with Legal Aid of Arkansas to ensure the entire state population has access to the help it needs.
A person whose family is struggling with substance use disorder may be eligible to receive a free attorney in civil matters. To find out, please call our VIP Line at 479-239-9048. For additional information, visit www.beyondopioids.com
Episode Notes: Legal leaders from Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas discuss how their organizations acquired opioid settlement funds and the impactful legal services they are providing to those affected by opioid use disorder on LSC’s “Talk Justice” podcast. A 2019 report from LSC’s Opioid Task Force describes the need for civil legal services in response to the opioid epidemic.
Video #1-Addict
Part of the Beyond Opioids Project, the "Say This, Not That" social media campaign focuses on using human first language.
Created by Valerie Spaink, Kimberly Marquez, and Amber Quaid. Voiceover by Rose Earley.
Video #2-Abuse
Part of the Beyond Opioids Project, the "Say This, Not That" social media campaign focuses on using human first language.
Created by Danielle Sehnert, Valerie Spaink, Kimberly Marquez, & Amber Quaid. Voiceover by Rose Earley.
Apply for Services
Call the Helpline:
Monday – Friday (Lunes - Viernes):
Toll-free: 1-800-950-5817
TTY: 1-800-285-1131
(Presiona 7 para la opción en Español.)
Or Apply Online
This announcement is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1 million with 100 percentage funded by HRSA/HHS and no amount or percentage funded by nongovernment source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.