The Anchorage Police Department launched a program Wednesday that aims to connect people to drug treatment instead of arresting them.
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Instead of facing arrest, people who have committed misdemeanors like assault, vandalism or shoplifting can choose to participate in the drug treatment program.
Many people who commit low-level crimes in the city have substance abuse issues, said Steve Williams, the police department’s director of diversion programming.
“Having different strategies to be able to connect people back to the community, public health, or behavioral health system is really what this is about,” Williams said. “And although it’s not law enforcement’s primary responsibility, clearly we can be a key partner in getting someone healthy.”
Participants must be at least 18 years old. Those charged with driving under the influence and domestic violence, as well as all felonies, cannot participate in the program. If there is a victim of the alleged crime, they must approve participation.
The pre-arrest deflection program has space for 80 participants at a time.
The police department is contracting with behavioral health nonprofit True North Recovery to administer the program. The organization will help participants navigate the system and will also connect them with whatever other services they need, Williams said.
“It could be housing, it could be employment, it could be anything that the individual needs to get on a path of recovery and hopefully health and wellness,” he said.
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Williams said there’s accountability baked into the structure: Completing the treatment program is required, and those who do not do so will face the original charges.
The Anchorage Police Department is funding the first year of the program with $397,900 in opioid settlement money. Compare that to the total cost to the system that comes with prosecutors and jail, charging someone and any care they need while in custody, Williams said.
“I’m pretty certain that this is going to be more cost effective than running someone through the criminal justice system,” he said.
There is the possibility the funding will be renewed over the next few years, Williams said.
The program is in a testing phase until early November, when patrol officers will start participating. The police department and True North will both keep detailed records and tweak the program as needed, Williams said.
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