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diversion programs for non-violent individuals when appropriate and without negatively impacting public safety. (Agencies Involved: DOJ/OJP, BOP; HHS/ASPE, SAMHSA) Diversion programs work to target the underlying problems that lead to crime and effective diversion programs can enhance long-term public safety and reduce recidivism while saving tax-payer dollars.401,402 As previously discussed, law enforcement officers often encounter individuals with SUD in their daily work, or in response to calls for assistance. When no arrest is made, officers are increasingly facilitating pre-arrest diversion or deflection into available programs. Such pre-arrest diversion is a harm reduction approach. A number of states have worked to implement pre-booking jail diversion programs as a result of the opioid epidemic. Many jurisdictions describe the importance of shifting police culture towards community policing and community collaboration to quickly identify people who are high-risk and would particularly benefit Another resource to assist drug courts to divert individuals to MOUD services is available in the NDCI MOUD Toolkit. This toolkit offers practical resources to help drug courts implement MOUD in accordance with scientific knowledge, drug court best practices, and emerging legal precedent. This tool kit includes three model memoranda of understanding, two letter templates, and an informational brochure for drug court participants and their loved ones. Additional information is available here: https://www.ndci.org/resource/traini ng/medication-assistedtreatment/moud-toolkit « « « « « « 104 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY from diversion. 403 ONDCP will work to enhance their efforts and share the lessons learned and best practices. DOJ and HHS should also work to identify opportunities to expand funding for implementing, sustaining, and evaluating appropriate criteria for prearrest diversion programs that allow for a fact-specific evaluation of the characteristics of non-violent offenders and the offense and would not negatively impact public safety. B. Expand screening to divert non-violent individuals to the appropriate communitybased services at the point of arrest, arraignment, and sentencing when appropriate and without negatively impacting public safety. (Agencies Involved: DOJ/BOP, OJP) The National Drug Court Institute (NDCI) identifies, trains, coaches, and connects drug court programs with addiction specialty physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. This allows expanded relationships with medical providers to assist in developing treatment protocols and individualized treatment plans. Early in 2022, NDCI, in partnership with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), will also pilot a three-day virtual training series to train physicians, physician assistants, and nurses in the system. Agencies need to continue such efforts. Federal grant-making agencies, such as HHS and DOJ, support drug court programs by including language in their awards ensuring participants cannot be compelled to cease use of MOUD when administered properly by trained professionals. Agencies must ensure that this language is maintained in current and future grant awards, and compliance with it should be monitored by the grant-making agencies. C. Assess impact on those with SUDs on Drug Delivery Resulting in Death Charge under state laws. (Agencies Involved: DOJ; HHS; ONDCP) Drug traffickers and violent drug dealers who sell drugs for profit deserve punishment for their crimes, especially when their products result in a fatal overdose. It is important that laws designed to punish drug traffickers harshly are not inadvertently applied to those with SUD who are not significant drug traffickers, but essentially are purchasing drugs with another user. Individual characteristics and the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offense matter in terms of determining the appropriate and proportional penalty. DOJ and HHS should assess how states are using these laws and provide recommendations to the Attorney General, Secretary of HHS and Director of ONDCP with regard to necessary changes. Principle 4: Improve reentry—Expand and remove barriers to support services Individuals reentering the community benefit from support services to reintegrate them into society and connect them to stabilizing social services.404 Individuals need assistance with gainful employment, housing and educational opportunities, and connection to benefits and health care coverage.405 Individuals with SUD face additional challenges, from heightened risk of overdose post-release to connecting with community providers for treatment.406,407,408 Planning for release and reentry is critical and should involve the individual and relevant community partners, and begin at intake and continue throughout the individual’s incarceration.409 Warm hand-offs to providers also increase the likelihood of engagement in « « « « « « NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY 105 services and improves treatment outcomes, particularly when there is an established relationship with the provider.410,411 A. Ensure evidence-based in reentry support, improving linkages to the community and reentry and recovery outcomes. (Agencies Involved: DOJ/BOP, OJP; DOL; HHS/ASPE, CMS, SAMHSA)
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