Law Enforcement and First Responder Deflection - Pathways to Deflection Case Studies Series: First Responder and Officer Referral Pathway

• NCJ Number: 307509
• Date Published: September 2023
• Length: 40 pages
• Grant Number(s): 15PBJA-21-GK-01074-MUMU
• Agencies: BJA-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Publication

Annotation

This document provides an in-depth look at the First Responder and Officer Referral Pathway, one of six pathways to treatment, services, and recovery for individuals affected by substance use disorder.

Abstract

This publication provides an introduction to the six pathways of deflection to treatment, services, and recovery for substance use disorder (SUD) but focuses on the First Responder and Officer Referral Pathway, which is a collaborative, community-based alternative to involvement in the justice system. Successful implementation requires strong multisector partnerships that include officials from municipal and county governments, justice system and public safety stakeholders, public and mental health and drug treatment professionals, service providers, housing organizations, school systems, and additional stakeholders in the community. The document provides a detailed introduction to the First Responder and Officer Referral Pathway; a description of how the pathway works; information on its 10 critical elements; and five case studies. It also includes acknowledgements and endnotes.