Baltimore Police Enforcing LEAD® Support Services Instead Of Jail For Low-Level Drug Offenders

A new, three-year pilot LEAD® program developed by Behavioral Health System Baltimore (BHSB) and the Baltimore Police Department sends minor drug offenders to treatment programs rather than jail. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, or LEAD®, is a nationwide bureau and project based in Seattle.

The program was developed in an effort to properly treat those suffering from substance abuse to help them recover. Offenders will be turned over to a case manager with Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. rather than arrested on criminal charges. The case managers will provide services including drug treatment, mental health services, housing aid, and . . .