Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

The question I have is regarding our adult child. He is an avid heroin user and
Doesn't work, is angry, threatening, and has been abusive. Whenever he is angry or out of drugs he threatens suicide over the phone to my husband who in turn calls 911. Most of the time he does nothing to himself but today he told his dad he was going to kill himself with a knife. What he did was a very small superficial wound to his thigh, and we called 911. He needs help but every time we have put him in a rehab he checks himself out the next day. He is currently on probation for threatening and intimidating a police officer, but didn't get anything about drugs because they only thought he was drunk. He's been arrested with paraphernalia and residue, assaults, MIC's , theft, and they never do anything to him. The responding police said they can't do anything or call his probation officer because being on drugs or threatening to attempt suicide is not a crime. How can doing drugs on probation not be a crime? And they are taking him to the hospital for a psych eval which I am sure he will
lie about everything and be out in less then 24 hours. Why can't they keep him for
observation for at least 72 hours or put him in a psych ward? He hasn't had a job for over a year, sits around doing drugs. My husband pays all his bills because he is dangerous to
have live in our own home. I believe my husband is enabling him. Why can't officers have him drug tested then report him to his probation officer? We want
to save his life but since he's 21 we can't force him to do anything. I cannot be the one to call on him, and when my husband has they do nothing.. Any advice would be appreciated
Before he hurts himself or someone else. I am scared for both him and my husband. Thank you

Have you talked to his probation officer? It doesn't require the police to talk to him. But all the PO can do is really lock him up temporarily. It won't fix anything.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about his drug addiction until he's willing. Mandatory drug rehab is a waste of time and money until the addict wants to do something. And it's not until they've lost everything they're willing to lose.

And yes, your husband is enabling him to continue to use and be self destructive. But on the other hand, there is no guarantee that he will do something even if your husband cuts him off. He's an adult and can make his own decisions about his life.