The Community-Law Enforcement Partnership for Deflection and Substance Abuse Treatment program helps law enforcement to develop and implement deflection programs that offer immediate pathways to substance use treatment as an alternative to involvement in the criminal justice system.

Seeking to more effectively help individuals suffering from opioid use disorder, police departments across the country are embracing a deflection model that offers treatment access to those in need. Researchers interviewed representatives of seven agencies employing law enforcement-based treatment program models in Illinois to better understand operations, leverage lessons learned, measure sustainability, and inform other agencies as they implement their own programs.

Police officers often encounter people with substance use disorders and in need of treatment. Police pre-arrest diversion or “deflection” programs allow police departments to refer individuals to treatment, steering them away from traditional criminal justice system processing. This preliminary outcome evaluation examined A Way Out (AWO), a program in Lake County, Illinois, in which contact with police is initiated by individuals in the community who seek substance use disorder treatment. We examined groups of individuals referred to one residential treatment provider through AWO and through other means (criminal justice system, self, family, or healthcare/community providers). We examined group differences and compared the short-term (minimum of six months) post-treatment arrest outcomes of those groups. We found AWO participants were predominately White, male, aged in their late 20s to early 30s, and diagnosed with an opioid use disorder, which was similar to those referred to treatment in other ways. The groups showed no statistically significant differences in numbers of post-treatment misdemeanor, felony, or total arrests. Therefore, we found AWO is on par with other referral methods to treatment and can effectively direct community members to substance use disorder treatment and aid in their recovery.

Researchers conducted a process evaluation of Safe Passage, a police deflection model in which police departments become a referral point to treatment for individuals with substance use disorder. Through the model, individuals can walk into any participating police department and request and receive treatment without fear of arrest. In Illinois, Safe Passage has served 170 individuals in rural Lee and Whiteside counties since 2015. Researchers sought to understand how the initiative was developed and operated and gain perspectives of stakeholders, police officers, treatment providers, and clients involved in the program. While more research is needed, the initiative showed promise in its collaborative approach to connecting clients to treatment.

This brief shares findings from a process evaluation of a program that treats women prisoners in Illinois with co-occurring disorders—substance use and mental health disorders. Overall, feedback from clients and staff were positive and the program showed reductions in clients’ posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and aggression after participation. In addition, researchers offer suggestions to improve the program’s physical space, as well as enhance program components and data collection.

This brief shares findings from a process evaluation of a program that treats women prisoners in Illinois with co-occurring disorders—substance use and mental health disorders. Overall, feedback from clients and staff were positive and the program showed reductions in clients’ posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and aggression after participation. In addition, researchers offer suggestions to improve the program’s physical space, as well as enhance program components and data collection.

There are over 3 million persons on probation in this country and many struggle with both maintaining recovery from substance use disorders and obtaining secure housing. However, stable housing for those on probation in recovery can potentially reduce relapse and recidivism. We examined recovery housing needs from the perspectives of probation supervisors and clients of Cook County Adult Probation. We administered surveys to probation supervisors and interviewed three clients in recovery as case studies. We learned probation supervisors are in need of further housing training and resources to aid clients in recovery. Clients reported unemployment and a lack of assistance in obtaining affordable housing. We recommend probation departments improve collaboration with housing service providers; obtain training on housing; and utilize recovery housing resources to better serve their clients.

Due to the high number of Americans with substance use disorders and the opioid crisis, many law enforcement departments are rethinking how they address the needs of people with substance use issues. With police-based deflection programs, police officers make referrals to substance use disorder treatment and other services. The research team evaluated A Way Out, a Lake County Illinois deflection program, in which citizens can enter a police station and ask for help obtaining substance use disorder treatment without fear of arrest. Using a synthetic control method, we found Lake County had reduced fatal and non-fatal overdoses, including fatal opioid overdoses, and reduced property crime arrests compared to a control group of other Illinois counties. Study results showed support for police deflection and can contribute knowledge to the growing field of deflection.

Millions of individuals and families are affected by substance use disorders and overdose in the United States. Deflection programs provide an opportunity for law enforcement to connect individuals with substance use challenges to appropriate treatment and services to improve health and public safety outcomes. We evaluated the efforts of community agencies and law enforcement in Jackson, Johnson, and Williamson counties to develop the Little Egypt Alternative Pathways (LEAP) deflection program. We conducted an evaluation using field observations and surveys. Based on our findings, we recommended addressing participant attendance and engagement; clarifying stakeholder roles and responsibilities; and ensuring program outcomes are measurable and achievable.

Over 20 million Americans have substance use disorders and many are in need of treatment and other social services. Police often encounter persons with behavioral health needs and can deflect, or refer, individuals to service providers without making an arrest. This evaluation examined the action planning process of a police-based deflection program in seven counties located in southern Illinois. Action planning is a guided process to engage community stakeholders in the development of a program and establish goals and objectives. Overall, based on surveys, participants agreed the group succeeded in defining their local problems, collaborating as a group, but noted low community participation. We offered suggestions for future action planning and program development including increasing participation and engagement, as well as enhancing how goals are established.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is requesting proposals for grants to law enforcement, other first responders, and local government agencies to develop and implement collaborative deflection programs in Illinois. These programs offer immediate pathways to substance use treatment and other services as an alternative to traditional case processing and involvement in the criminal justice system, and to unnecessary admission to emergency departments. A total of $325,801 in funding is available through this solicitation for use over a ten-month period. Grant requests are limited to a minimum of $75,000, and maximum of $145,833.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is requesting proposals for grants to law enforcement, other first responders, and local government agencies to develop and implement collaborative deflection programs in Illinois. These programs offer immediate pathways to substance use treatment and other services as an alternative to traditional case processing and involvement in the criminal justice system, and to unnecessary admission to emergency departments. A total of $1,000,000 in funding is available through this solicitation for use over a twelve-month period. Grant requests are limited to a minimum of $75,000, and maximum of $175,000.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is requesting proposals for grants supporting a comprehensive community-law enforcement and other first responder response to drugs. Grants will be made with State Fiscal Year 2022 Community-Law Enforcement and Other First Responder Partnership for Deflection & Substance Use Disorder Treatment Act funds,

Millions of individuals and families are affected by substance use disorders and overdose in the United States. Deflection programs provide an opportunity for law enforcement to connect individuals with substance use challenges to appropriate treatment and services to improve health and public safety outcomes. We evaluated the efforts of community agencies and law enforcement in Jackson, Johnson, and Williamson counties to develop the Little Egypt Alternative Pathways (LEAP) deflection program. We conducted an evaluation using field observations and surveys. Based on our findings, we recommended addressing participant attendance and engagement; clarifying stakeholder roles and responsibilities; and ensuring program outcomes are measurable and achievable.

There are over 3 million persons on probation in this country and many struggle with both maintaining recovery from substance use disorders and obtaining secure housing. However, stable housing for those on probation in recovery can potentially reduce relapse and recidivism. We examined recovery housing needs from the perspectives of probation supervisors and clients of Cook County Adult Probation. We administered surveys to probation supervisors and interviewed three clients in recovery as case studies. We learned probation supervisors are in need of further housing training and resources to aid clients in recovery. Clients reported unemployment and a lack of assistance in obtaining affordable housing. We recommend probation departments improve collaboration with housing service providers; obtain training on housing; and utilize recovery housing resources to better serve their clients.

Due to the high number of Americans with substance use disorders and the opioid crisis, many law enforcement departments are rethinking how they address the needs of people with substance use issues. With police-based deflection programs, police officers make referrals to substance use disorder treatment and other services. The research team evaluated A Way Out, a Lake County Illinois deflection program, in which citizens can enter a police station and ask for help obtaining substance use disorder treatment without fear of arrest. Using a synthetic control method, we found Lake County had reduced fatal and non-fatal overdoses, including fatal opioid overdoses, and reduced property crime arrests compared to a control group of other Illinois counties. Study results showed support for police deflection and can contribute knowledge to the growing field of deflection.

Over 20 million Americans have substance use disorders and many are in need of treatment and other social services. Police often encounter persons with behavioral health needs and can deflect, or refer, individuals to service providers without making an arrest. This evaluation examined the action planning process of a police-based deflection program in seven counties located in southern Illinois. Action planning is a guided process to engage community stakeholders in the development of a program and establish goals and objectives. Overall, based on surveys, participants agreed the group succeeded in defining their local problems, collaborating as a group, but noted low community participation. We offered suggestions for future action planning and program development including increasing participation and engagement, as well as enhancing how goals are established.

Police officers often encounter people with substance use disorders and in need of treatment. Police pre-arrest diversion or “deflection” programs allow police departments to refer individuals to treatment, steering them away from traditional criminal justice system processing. This preliminary outcome evaluation examined A Way Out (AWO), a program in Lake County, Illinois, in which contact with police is initiated by individuals in the community who seek substance use disorder treatment. We examined groups of individuals referred to one residential treatment provider through AWO and through other means (criminal justice system, self, family, or healthcare/community providers). We examined group differences and compared the short-term (minimum of six months) post-treatment arrest outcomes of those groups. We found AWO participants were predominately White, male, aged in their late 20s to early 30s, and diagnosed with an opioid use disorder, which was similar to those referred to treatment in other ways. The groups showed no statistically significant differences in numbers of post-treatment misdemeanor, felony, or total arrests. Therefore, we found AWO is on par with other referral methods to treatment and can effectively direct community members to substance use disorder treatment and aid in their recovery.

This brief shares findings from a process evaluation of a program that treats women prisoners in Illinois with co-occurring disorders—substance use and mental health disorders. Overall, feedback from clients and staff were positive and the program showed reductions in clients’ posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and aggression after participation. In addition, researchers offer suggestions to improve the program’s physical space, as well as enhance program components and data collection.

Researchers conducted a process evaluation of Safe Passage, a police deflection model in which police departments become a referral point to treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. Through the model, individuals can walk into any participating police department and request and receive treatment without fear of arrest. In Illinois, Safe Passage has served 170 individuals in rural Lee and Whiteside counties since 2015. Researchers sought to understand how the initiative was developed and operated and gain perspectives of stakeholders, police officers, treatment providers, and clients involved in the program. While more research is needed, the initiative showed promise in its collaborative approach to connecting clients to treatment.

Seeking to more effectively help individuals suffering from opioid use disorder, police departments across the country are embracing a deflection model that offers treatment access to those in need. Researchers interviewed representatives of seven law enforcement agencies employing treatment program models in Illinois to better understand operations, leverage lessons learned, measure sustainability, and inform other agencies as they implement their own programs.