Responses to mental health and drug-induced crises have, at times, proven to be a seemingly intractable problem at emergency response scenes in Louisiana, and in various parts of the country. And according to the U.S. Justice Department, these days about 10% of all police contacts involve people with serious mental illness. Nationally, incidents involving law enforcement and mentally-challenged individuals, critics contend, have ended too often with tragic results.
The search for new approaches has led to action across the state. On November 2, 2023, the Office of Behavioral Health for the Louisiana Department of Health selected the Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse of Northwest Louisiana (CADA) for the Adult Mobile Crisis Response Team of Louisiana Region 7. One year later, in November 2024, CADA launched its Crisis Mobile Response Team (CMRT). In 2025, CADA’s team responded to more than 450 calls within its 9 parish zone which includes Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, Bienville, Sabine and Natchitoches parishes.
The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) announced, on February 6, 2026, on its Facebook page, that it had entered into a Joinder Party Agreement with CADA, stating: “This collaboration aims to enhance crisis intervention and mobile response services for individuals facing mental health or substance-related crises, as stated by Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr.”
Under the CPSO agreement, Caddo deputies who encounter individuals experiencing psychological, emotional, or substance-related distress during their routine operations can refer eligible individuals—when no criminal offense has occurred—to CADA's Adult Mobile Crisis Response team. These services are designed to provide timely, on-site assessments, crisis stabilization, and referrals for ongoing care.
To be clear, these are not medical emergencies. Such situations will always be handled by the 911 dispatch system. Instead, CADA’s team works closely with the people who operate the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Counselors are available to communicate with people by call, text, chat, or Deaf/HoH platforms. Other law enforcement personnel, hospital staff in the region and many others also provide information, as well.
CADA Executive Director Janet Miller spoke about the agency’s latest program during a taping this week for a future episode of the Red River Radio program Community Connections.
Miller told show host Heather Carpenter, PhD, that If a caller asks for help, there is no criminal activity at the scene, and no ongoing medical emergency, 988 can and does dispatch CADA’s mobile crisis response team. “This whole program of mobile response was to decriminalize mental health and addiction services., as well as not have people being caught up in the recidivism of emergency admits, who are sitting in the emergency room when they really need help and resources and referrals.”
CADA’s own website describes CMRT members as trained personnel who go into the field and help people in crisis, directing them to agencies which can help them get their lives back on track. Louisiana now has a crisis response team in all 10 state regions. For more information on CADA’s Adult Mobile Crisis Response Team call (318) 222-8511.
No air date has been chose yet for the Community Connections episode featuring Janet Miller. Host Heather Carpenter serves as executive director of the Institute for Nonprofit Administration & Research (INAR) at LSU Shreveport. The program features discussions with leaders of community non-profits, like CADA, and about their work in making our community a better place to live. Community Connections airs Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
