EXPAND LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVERSION AND FIRST RESPONDER MODELS THAT CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO SUBSTANCE USE AND MISUSE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES

Law enforcement and other first responders are on the front lines of addressing illicit substance use and misuse, responding to frequent drug overdoses and calls for services involving individuals with substance use and misuse and co-occurring disorders. A variety of multidisciplinary law enforcement diversion and first-responder models have emerged in communities throughout the nation that reduce and prevent overdoses and connect individuals to treatment services and recovery supports. These models often include first responders working in partnership with behavioral health treatment providers and peer recovery coaches.

COSSUP supports activities that:

• Implement law enforcement diversion and first-responder models that include partnerships with public health and/or behavioral health designed to divert individuals with substance use and misuse and co-occurring disorders from the criminal justice system and connect these individuals to comprehensive, evidence-based substance use and misuse treatment services. This can include the use of data analytics that support collaborative activities between public health and public safety, and, in areas where human trafficking is prevalent, activities that strengthen partnerships between human trafficking task forces and substance use and misuse treatment providers.
• Implement or enhance access to a comprehensive continuum of community-based substance use treatment for individuals with substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders to ensure that appropriate treatment services are available when an individual is diverted from the criminal justice system. Transitional and recovery housing may be provided as part of a comprehensive response strategy; however, only 30 percent of COSSUP funds may be used for this activity.