From: Prosecuting, Attorney [
[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 9:18 AM To:
[email protected] Subject: 2012 Feb: The Prosecutor's Post THE PROSECUTOR’S POST Vol. 5, Issue 1 February 9, 2012 _______________________________________________________________________________ Update: LEAD -- An Innovative Approach to Drug Offenses The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) began a unique partnership with the Seattle Police Department's West Precinct, The Defender Association, the Seattle City Attorney's Office, the King County Executive's Office, and the Belltown Community Leaders to launch LEAD -- Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion -- a new, innovative approach to more effectively deal with low-level drug addicts, dealers, and prostitutes who cycle in and out of King County's jail and criminal justice system. This program, launched in October of 2011 and funded by private grant money, is designed to divert individuals away from repeated arrests and bookings for low-level drug offenses and into immediate treatment services and opportunities. As part of the program, officers on the street have the discretion to take low-level drug offenders to a treatment facility managed by Evergreen Treatment Services, where case managers worked with individuals to offer immediate and longer-term treatment, transitional housing, educational opportunities, and other services geared toward breaking the cycle of addiction. So far, Seattle Police Officers have referred 24 individuals to the program.. In one instance, a case manager helped an individual referred to the program to restore his union status so that he could look for work. In another, a case worker successfully encouraged treatment and regular check-ins for a woman who used to routinely solicit and use drugs in front of local storefronts.