North Carolina Technical Assistance Center Releases Diversion Handbook

Across North Carolina, communities are rethinking how they respond to low-level, non-violent offenses related to substance use—and a new handbook is here to help.

We’re excited to share the launch of Pre-Arrest Diversion in North Carolina: A Handbook for Law Enforcement Programs, a practical, step-by-step resource designed to help communities create or strengthen diversion programs that connect people to services instead of incarceration. We are proud to be a part of the team at the North Carolina Technical Assistance Center (NC-TAC) that worked to develop this handbook.

Many law enforcement officers, service providers, and community leaders know the challenge well: arresting the same people repeatedly for low-level offenses rarely improves public safety or individual outcomes. Pre-arrest diversion offers another path—one that reduces repeat arrests, saves resources, and supports people in addressing underlying health and social needs. This handbook shows how to do that in a way that’s realistic, effective, and tailored to local communities.

The handbook draws on years of on-the-ground experience from diversion programs across the state, as well as in-depth evaluations on diversion programs. It includes guidance on:

• Designing program eligibility criteria and protocols that center on dignity and choice
• Building strong partnerships between law enforcement and community providers
• Training officers and preparing for program launch
• Measuring success and sustaining programs over time
• Customizing sample policies, forms, and agreements

The handbook was developed by the North Carolina Technical Assistance Center (NC-TAC), a statewide partnership that provides training, coaching, and technical assistance to communities. NC-TAC is a collaboration between the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, the North Carolina Formerly Incarcerated Transition Program, and the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law, and is supported by the NC DHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services.

📘 Explore the handbook
🤝 Request free technical assistance

Whether you’re part of law enforcement, a service provider, a local government, or a concerned community member, this resource offers a roadmap for providing effective alternatives to arrest.