Stein pushes for behavioral health, criminal justice support in NC

By: Christine Zhu

Outlets: North Carolina Newsline

Published: February 5, 2026

Words: 620

Last Updated: 1 week, 5 days ago

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Gov. Josh Stein signed an executive order Thursday morning aimed at strengthening the behavioral health and criminal justice systems in North Carolina to better respond to the state’s mental health treatment needs.

Surrounded by doctors, law enforcement officers, and state lawmakers, Stein referenced events around the state that police said were committed by people with a history of mental illness — including the killing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte last August.

“Our system needs to …

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