Northampton County will launch LETI program, becoming 30th county to join Office of Attorney General’s diversion initiative
Jun 20, 2024
EASTON – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced today that Northampton County has joined the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI), a collaborative program launched by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and law enforcement to divert individuals in need to treatment services. Northampton County becomes the 30th county to join LETI as Attorney General Henry continues efforts to expand the program.
PA LETI is a law enforcement-led treatment initiative that enables Pennsylvanians in Northampton County seeking treatment for substance use disorder to contact probation and parole services, the sheriff’s department, other county officials, and community stakeholders, who will then contact the Northampton County Drug and Alcohol Program, Single County Authority (SCA).
“I applaud Northampton 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 Baratta and our law enforcement partners across Northampton County are doing to help build stronger, healthier communities.”
In Northampton County, individuals can walk into the police station, probation office, sheriff’s department, or the local drug and alcohol authority and ask to be connected to substance abuse treatment. This program also empowers law enforcement to offer treatment to people suffering from addiction and will help stop the revolving door that exists for individuals who do not receive treatment.
The LETI program will continue the work that Northampton County has been doing to address substance abuse in their community.
“Drug overdoses are the number one accidental killer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Northampton District Attorney Stephen Baratta. “In response to this crisis, the Office of Attorney General designed and introduced the LETI program. LETI is a vehicle through which law enforcement can connect individuals suffering from substance use disorder with treatment options. The Northampton County District Attorney and County Executive are excited to bring LETI to Northampton County as we expect that LETI will become a valuable tool to help stabilize and protect our community.”
Since 2020, LETI has received over 1,370 referrals from concerned individuals throughout the Commonwealth.
“The LETI initiative is striving to connect individuals suffering from substance use disorder with the treatment they need,” said Kathleen Jiorle of Northampton Drug and Alcohol Program. “This is imperative to save lives in Northampton County and reduce the impact of addiction not just on the individuals suffering from disease but also their families, friends, and communities.”
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 Armstrong, Berks, Bradford, Butler, Cameron, Carbon Chester Clearfield Clinton Columbia Dauphin Delaware Elk Erie Fayette Indiana Jefferson Luzerne Mifflin Monroe Montgomery Northumberland Schuylkill Snyder Somerset Sullivan Union Wayne Wyoming counties. District Attorneys in Pennsylvania interested in starting a PA LETI program should contact the Office of Attorney General at 570-826-2483.
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