Following the release of a critical U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) report on the Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Attorney General Gentner Drummond responded with strong words. The DOJ's report, alleging the unnecessary institutionalization of individuals with mental health disabilities, was met with skepticism by Drummond. He questioned the timing and motivation behind these findings, as per the Oklahoma Attorney General's release.
Representing Oklahoma in this matter, Drummond emphasized his support for mental health system reform, while simultaneously criticizing what he perceives as federal encroachment. Released earlier today, the DOJ report has been described by Drummond as a "top-down approach." "While I strongly support reform of the mental health system, I am wary of yet another top-down approach in this 11th hour report by the Biden Administration's Department of Justice," Drummond stated, distrustful of the federal government's tactics in the waning hours of daylight. He views the report as an attempt to "bully Oklahoma into compliance with ever-changing and undefined targets," as stated in the Oklahoma Attorney General's report.
The DOJ has yet to respond to Drummond's comments, leaving open a dialogue about the appropriate balance of state versus federal oversight in matters of mental health services. The report, which is now under close review by Drummond and his office, could potentially lead to significant changes to Oklahoma's system for handling mental health services.
Drummond's concern over the report's implications is evident in his language, which implies a resistance to what he calls "federal overreach." "Such federal overreach has been part and parcel with this White House," Drummond told reporters, the White House's approach regarding mental health reform has been consistently expansive, according to the Oklahoma Attorney General. While details of the DOJ's recommendations remain to be seen, Drummond's preemptive comments set the stage for a potential clash over mental health policy reform in Oklahoma.
