ONDCP has announced the Model Law Enforcement and Other First Responders Deflection Act, a resource for states that encourages the development and use of deflection programs across the country. In a growing number of states, public safety and public health partnerships “deflect” people with these disorders away from traditional criminal justice programs and connect them to evidence-based treatment, harm reduction, recovery and prevention services. Deflection programs are needed because first responders, including law enforcement, often do not have good options when encountering people with substance use and/or mental health disorders.
- Ann Tucker