By De’Ja Wood Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a community-based diversion program with the goal of reimagining public safety by decriminalizing drug abuse. Within LEAD, officers reduce unnecessary justice involvement for those struggling with substance use by connecting people who use drugs to services and treatment that prioritize their health and wellbeing. On Thursday, […]
Tag: substance use disorder
Emerging Health Model Proving Effective at Reducing Convictions, Jail Time
By Annie Han Prisoners with mental health issues are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, with over 37% in state or federal prisons diagnosed with mental illness. Their health and behavioral needs are often untreated, or they do not receive proper care. They also face significant challenges upon release when transitioning back into the […]
Dr. Allison Robertson Discusses Medication-Assisted Treatment Research Successes, Challenges
There is strong evidence to show the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with justice-involved individuals but still a number of barriers in place to implementing it, according to Dr. Allison Robertson, a member of the Behavioral Health Core at the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law. Robertson – who is an associate […]
Upcoming SAMHSA Webinar Offers Advice for Drug Treatment Courts During Pandemic
There are currently 59 recovery courts in 32 counties in North Carolina, and thousands more across the nation designed to help criminal defendants who have alcohol and other substance use disorders. Many of those courts have been successfully using teleservices to increase client access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration […]