A Look at Substance Use Diversion Programs in the Delaware Criminal Justice System Using the Sequential Intercept...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Criminal Justice Reform
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Background:

• Criminal justice systems often encounter individuals with substance use disorder (SUD).
• Effective interventions are needed to divert these individuals towards treatment and support.
• Cross-system collaboration is crucial for successful reform.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe approaches used in Delaware to divert justice-involved individuals with SUD from the criminal justice system.
• To identify intervention opportunities within the criminal justice process using the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM).
• To present examples of deflection and diversion programs.

Main Methods:

• Application of the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) framework.
• Analysis of deflection and diversion programs at six SIM points.
• Description of cross-system collaborations between health and justice practitioners.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of deflection/diversion programs at multiple stages of the criminal justice process.
• Enhanced connections to treatment and supportive services for justice-involved individuals with SUD.
• Demonstration of effective cross-system collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Deflection and diversion programs, guided by the SIM, offer effective pathways for individuals with SUD.
• Cross-system collaborations are vital for criminal justice reform and improving care for this population.
• These approaches redefine pathways of care post-contact with the criminal justice system.