A NEW PROGRAM IN ALBUQUERQUE. THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS IT HAS APD OFFICERS PLACING LOW-LEVEL SUSPECTS IN TREATMENT INSTEAD OF GOING TO JAIL. THE PROGRAM WILL BEGIN IN SOUTHEAST ALBUQUERQUE.
IT’S A DIVERSION PROGRAM THAT PLACES THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING, POSSESSING DRUGS OR PROSTITUTION IN A DETOX FACILITY. THE OFFENDER WILL THEN MEET WITH A CASE MANAGER WHO PUTS TOGETHER SERVICES FOR THAT PERSON … LIKE HOUSING VOUCHERS, MEDICAID OR TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE. IT’S CALLED THE “LEAD” PROGRAM, AND THE JOURNAL REPORTS IT’S DIFFERS FROM OTHER DIVERSION PROGRAMS AS IT’LL SEND SUSPECTS TO SERVICES BEFORE CHARGES ARE FILED, MEANING THEY’LL HAVE NO RECORD OF BEING ARRESTED OR INCARCERATED.
