“I think they’ve found jail doesn’t help. They come out worse than when they went in.” —Sen. Katherine Klausmeier
Effective Solution Baltimore PD explores treating, not jailing, low-level drug offenders
Devastating problem According to estimates by the Baltimore Sun, there are 19,000 heroin users in Baltimore.The police have found heroin to be a factor in a heightened city homicide rate. Overdoses have increased statewide, doubling since 2010. Heroin was the cause for 578 Maryland deaths in 2015, according to the Sun. Maryland’s State Attorney’s Office for Baltimore and the Behavioral Health System Baltimore have both signed off on the initiative, known as the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program (LEAD). “Criminalizing individuals with addiction issues is not the answer,” says Baltimore’s health commissioner Leana Wen to the Baltimore Sun. “We must treat addiction as a disease and not a crime or a moral failing. LEAD is an innovative, evidence-based strategy that diverts people with addiction away from arrest and incarceration and instead gives them the medical treatment they need.”
Low-level drug offenders in Baltimore might soon find themselves headed to substance abuse treatment instead of jail. Facing a growing number of heroin users, the Baltimore Police Department has teamed up with the non-profit organization Open Society Institute-Baltimore to revamp how the city works to tackle public safety. An arrest record can hurt a person’s opportunities for getting a job, education or housing. Without an opportunity to re-enter society, it’s possible drug offenders will re-offend, and again enter the criminal justice system.The police department will only consider treatment options for nonviolent offenders.Those committing serious offenses, like dealing drugs, would continue to face jail time.
“What is unusual about this program is that there is no arrest at all.”
—Diana Morris, director at Open Society Institute- Baltimore
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker