The federal government has awarded $1 million to a program that aims to help midcoast police connect more of the people they encounter with addiction treatment services.
The grant, which was awarded to the group Volunteers of America, will expand so-called diversion programs in Waldo and Knox counties, which aim to keep people out of the criminal justice system when they have committed lower level violations and would be better served by a team of counselors and other workers who can address their underlying mental health and substance use issues.
Similar programs have become more common in the last few years as communities across the country have tried to address the deadly overdose crisis and lessen the burden on law enforcement agencies that must often deal with it.
The Belfast City Council accepted the $1 million grant on behalf of Volunteers of America on Tuesday night.
Belfast police will work with Volunteers of America to evaluate the effectiveness of the region’s current diversion programs, using a set of guidelines that can help determine how people with mental and substance use disorders are entering the criminal justice system, according to information presented to the Belfast council.
The goal of the initiative is to identify 150 people who fall into that category and to look for more ways to help them get treatment, such as having counselors go out with police on calls and enlisting case managers to help steer more of them towards community-based resources.
Officials did not immediately provide more information about how the funds will be spent.
