Attorney General Michelle Henry announced today that Union County has joined the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI), a program initiated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and law enforcement. The initiative aims to divert individuals in need of treatment services. With this move, Union County becomes the 29th county to join LETI as Attorney General Henry continues her efforts to expand the program.
PA LETI is a law enforcement-led treatment initiative that enables Pennsylvanians in Union County seeking treatment for substance use disorder to contact probation and parole services, the sheriff’s department, other county officials, and community stakeholders. These entities will then contact the Columbia, Montour, Snyder, and Union Counties Drug and Alcohol Commission (CMSU).
“I applaud Union County’s attention to this crisis and the need to divert individuals from criminal charges and prison when treatment services are in the best interests of the person and community,” said Attorney General Michelle Henry. “By connecting individuals to the treatment they need, LETI saves lives, makes our communities stronger, and helps to minimize the stigma associated with substance use disorder. I commend the work that District Attorney Kerstetter and our law enforcement partners across Union County are doing to help build stronger, healthier communities.”
AG Henry added that partnering with Union law enforcement agencies under PA LETI will enable individuals in Union County to walk into local offices such as police stations or probation offices or contact local drug and alcohol authorities directly for assistance with substance abuse treatment. This program also empowers law enforcement to offer treatment options for people suffering from addiction.
“Many crimes in our area are addiction driven. Our prisons are overcrowded,” District Attorney Brian Kerstetter said. “The Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative provides individuals who are suffering from addiction the opportunity to obtain treatment and potentially avoid criminal convictions which can adversely affect employment opportunities, military service, higher education."
Since its inception in 2020, LETI has received 1,370 referrals from concerned individuals throughout the Commonwealth. “It is an honor to collaborate with Union County Law Enforcement to allow an opportunity to offer substance use treatment and avoid the criminal justice system,” a spokesperson for CMSU Drug and Alcohol said.
Agent Lauren Diller is the Office of Attorney General’s dedicated full-time agent who coordinates PA LETI. Her work includes training, writing policies for each participating county, convening key community stakeholders, and case management of LETI referrals.
LETI currently operates in 28 other counties in Pennsylvania. District Attorneys interested in starting a PA LETI program should contact the Office of Attorney General at 570-826-2483.