Spotlight

Across the country, programming to address the opioid crisis remains a key need. Like many other cities, Chicago struggles with the opioid epidemic. The majority of the city’s heroin comes from the West Side, which is mostly home to Black and low-income residents; these communities are disproportionately affected by high overdose rates, drug related crimes and the opioid crisis more broadly. In 2018, to address these issues, Chicago created the Narcotics Arrest Diversion Program (NADP), which offers adults with low-level non-violent drug offenses the opportunity to receive substance use disorder (SUD) treatment instead of jail time or a criminal record. Originally piloted on the West Side, NADP expanded to the entire city in 2021.

Unlike many other diversion programs, which defer prosecution and/or require participants to complete a treatment program prior to dropping charges, NADP only requires an initial SUD assessment meeting with an on-site clinician in the police station for charges to be dropped. Clinicians, provided by Thresholds, can refer to both inpatient and outpatient treatment services. Although participants are only required to attend the initial assessment meeting, according to an evaluation by the University of Chicago Crime Lab, 79 percent of participants began treatment and 50 percent of participants were still in treatment after 30 days. Originally, program eligibility was limited by type and amount of drug, and individuals with prior violent arrests were ineligible; as of 2022, the type and amount of drugs has been expanded and participation in the program is possible, even with a violent offense, as long as it has not occurred in the past 10 years.

The program has been extremely successful so far. As of June 2023, 1,516 people have been diverted from the criminal justice system, with participants 72 percent less likely to be rearrested in the future. Importantly, the program is reaching its targeted audience: 89 percent of participants were diagnosed with SUDs, 69 percent were daily users prior to diversion and 42 participants were Black men, the group in Chicago most impacted by the opioid crisis and the criminal justice system more broadly. Chicago’s NADP proves that encouraging treatment for substance use disorders, rather than requiring it, can be extremely impactful, both in terms of reducing criminal justice system involvement and in terms of improving the lives of community members.

In Case You Missed It

Listen to episode 28 of the NCJA Podcast and learn about Safe Night’s relationship-based approach training, adapted from evidence-based psychological counseling therapy, that teaches individuals how to create and maintain strong relationships with all relevant criminal justice system partners to solve complex public safety issues.

Staff Recommends

Amanda recommends this study, which explores the degree to which 911 call takers’ discretion impacts police perception of calls in the field. 

Allison recommends this article, which highlights the importance of understanding that research is not created in a vacuum, and that any and all research should draw upon the experiences of those who may be impacted by the results.  

Social Media For SAAs

Struggling to fill your social media feeds with content? Consider posting about the following items:

Post about Human Rights Day on December 10 or celebrate all month long.

As the end of the year approaches, consider creating an end-of-the year campaign highlighting key moments from the year for your agency or for funded programs. 

Editor's Note

Happy holidays to all who celebrate! Look for the next NCJP newsletter on January 30.