Prescription Drug Abuse Help

Recognizing Signs of Substance Abuse

• Changes in behavior and attitude
• Deteriorating family relationships
• Long unexplained absences
• Lying and stealing
• Obvious intoxication, delirious, incoherent, or unconscious
• Seclusive behavior (long periods spent in self imposed isolation)
• Tracks of needle marks normally found in the upper arms of users

Marchman Act

397.6811 Involuntary assessment and stabilization

A person determined by the court to appear to meet the criteria for involuntary admission under s. 397.675 may be admitted for a period of 5 days to a hospital or to a licensed detoxification facility or addictions receiving facility, for involuntary assessment and stabilization or to a less restrictive component of a licensed service provider for assessment only upon entry of a court order or upon receipt by the licensed service provider of a petition. Involuntary assessment and stabilization may be initiated by the submission of a petition to the court.

1. If the person upon whose behalf the petition is being filed is an adult, a petition for involuntary assessment and stabilization may be filed by the respondent's spouse or guardian, any relative, a private practitioner, the director of a licensed service provider or the director's designee, or any three adults who have personal knowledge of the respondent's substance abuse impairment.
2. If the person upon whose behalf the petition is being filed is a minor, a petition for involuntary assessment and stabilization may be filed by a parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or licensed service provider.

Additional Information

For more information on the Marchman Act - Please contact St. Lucie County Clerk of Court Mental Health Division at 772-462-6921.