Published May 6, 2023 08:46
Amy Leap aleap@tnonline.com
Monroe County on Thursday became the 23rd county to join the Law Enforcement Action Initiative. A joint program launched by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and law enforcement agencies diverts people in need of treatment services.
Deputy Director Michelle Walsh of the Attorney General’s PA Office said: The kind of partner that stands here today. ”
PA LETI allows people living in Monroe County seeking treatment for substance abuse disorders to contact Carbon, Monroe, and Pike Drugs using local law enforcement, county officials, and community stakeholders. , is a law-enforcement-led treatment that allows arrests to be avoided. alcohol commission.
“From my experience as a prosecutor for over 25 years, I have clearly learned that there is no way out of this matter by arrest. I’ve seen them appear in court, be sentenced, enter the community on probation or after serving their sentences. i’m back.
The Attorney General’s Office continues to fight this issue on all fronts to pollute our community and target the dealers and distributors who sell these drugs. was higher than the previous four years combined.
The latest drug causing problems is xylazine. It’s a drug used in veterinary practice that causes horrible skin infections.
The Attorney General’s Office has led a national coalition to go after major opioid makers like Purdue pharma and secure $26 billion from drug dealers.
Pennsylvania has more than $1 billion to fight this crisis and enlist our communities to support their needs. That includes her $12 million here in Monroe County.
Partnering with Monroe County law enforcement and other agencies under PA LETI allows you to:
• Open doors to people suffering from substance use disorders.
• Help identify individuals seeking therapeutic services.
• Help people secure transportation to treatment services.
• Maintain relationships with local drug and alcohol control agencies to understand availability and collect data to study results.
In Monroe County, people can walk into a police station or local drug and alcohol authorities and ask to be connected to substance abuse treatment without the threat of arrest or prosecution. It gives police discretion to refer people to treatment rather than arresting and filing criminal charges for drug offenses. The program allows law enforcement agencies to provide treatment to people struggling with addiction.
“The May 4th launch of the LETI program is a historic event for our county. It represents a big step forward to do so,” said Monroe County Assistant First District Attorney Mike Mancuso.
He said non-violent offenders would be encouraged to seek treatment rather than take their chances in the court system.
LETI has operations in Carbon and Schuylkill counties.
Chief William Parrish, East Stroudsburg University Police Chief, talks about the situation with the criminals that put him in a life-or-death situation.Amy Leap/Times News