Criminal Justice

E19 - Improving Community Response to Substance Use — Emerging Models in Criminal Justice Diversion

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Location: Gaylord National, Chesapeake J-K

Track Sponsored By:

Staff Moderator(s)

Shannon Mace, JD, MPH

Senior Advisor
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
DPO, New York

Workshop Presenter(s)

Mary Naoum, MSW, MPP

Crisis Response Design Consultant
Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative
Atlanta, Georgia
Chyna Quarker, MAPP

Referral Manager
Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative
Atlanta, Georgia

Slides Handouts

Arresting and jailing people who are causing disturbances or harm as a result of substance use, mental health challenges, or survival activities often fails to improve public health or safety, while pushing people further away from the connections and services that support recovery. The Atlanta-based Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD) provides an immediate alternative to arrest for law enforcement and community members, while working to increase the accessibility of supportive services. The presenters will explore how service providers can advocate for and build more appropriate responses to community concerns related to behavioral health instead of criminal justice system involvement.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the community-driven design process, policies, and procedures for the Policing Alternative & Diversion Initiative’s pre-arrest diversion services, and first-of-its kind in-person response services via Atlanta’s 311 nonemergency line
Explore the benefits and challenges of utilizing harm reduction strategies with individuals with frequent criminal legal system involvement
Identify key sites for behavioral health providers to engage in strategic advocacy towards transformative systems change