COAP grant helps keep non-violent offenders out of jail

     The Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy was awarded a three-year $1.7 million Federal Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) grant for innovative Substance Use Disorder Treatment from the U.S. Department of Justice. This grant, grant number 2019-DS-BX-0003, includes implementing three site Pre/Post-Arrest Diversion Pilot Project locations. Jones County is fortunate to be one of the three counties in the state to implement the COAP Diversion Program as a way to improve the ability to address the needs of people with substance use disorders (SUD) who are involved in, or at risk of involvement in, the criminal justice system.

     The goals of the project consist of:

     • Increasing access to evidence-based Substance Use Disorder Treatment

     • Reducing relapse, recidivism, arrests/re-arrests, and incarceration/re- incarceration among the substance using population

     • Reducing contacts with law enforcement, emergency services, and justice system personnel for those diverted

     • Improving justice system efficiencies (cost and resource avoidance), and enhanced relationships between law enforcement and community members, particularly the substance using population

     This program operates by providing diversion services to keep individuals with SUD out of the criminal justice system while also maintaining public safety and respecting victim’s rights. The intention of the project is to reduce substance abuse and criminal involvement with non-violent individuals through pre/post-arrest diversion to treatment programs. Local law enforcement agencies are actively participating along with agreements in place between the Abbe Mental Health Center to provide the Site Engagement Coordinator and the Area Substance Abuse Council to provide the Counselor for Substance Use Disorder assessments and treatment. There is an advisory board with local leaders that meets regularly to solidify the local plans. Using a Public Health model, they anticipate all will be in place within the next couple of months to begin diverting non-violent offenders that meet the required criteria.

     Through collaborative efforts with law enforcement and a vast array of community service providers, the COAP diversion program provides assistance for participants to access treatment, counseling, medication management, and social support services. The program works to effectively and efficiently use available public resources to help divert participants from jail into treatment to improve quality of life for individuals with SUD while maintaining public safety and promoting a healthy community.