Members of the criminal justice system in Butler County gathered Tuesday to learn about a newly implemented referral program to treat people struggling with substance abuse.

The Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative, or LETI, allows the Office of the Attorney General to join forces with county entities and provide an opportunity for police officers, probation and district judges to connect people with resources.

District Attorney Richard Goldinger described LETI as a tool law enforcement can use for the betterment of the community.

“It’s an incentive, that you could get (drug) charges reduced or not even filed if you go through this program … then, it’s a success story.”

According to agent Janene Holter, strategic initiatives operator for the Office of the Attorney General, the program involves collaboration between the attorney general’s office, Single County Authority and the District Attorney’s Office.

“LETI doesn’t work without everyone in this room,” Holter said. “LETI doesn’t work without us talking and communicating with one another.”

Holter held three training sessions for local law enforcement officials in the Butler County Government Center, which explained the ins and outs of the new policy and how standing with someone in a time of need can make all the difference.

LETI can be implemented on three “tracks,” according to Holter, the first encouraging anyone to make a referral to the Single County Authority, day or night. This includes family members or even probation officers.

Referrals can also be made by a police officer who is considering filing charges against someone for drug use or someone they encounter who is struggling with substance abuse, Holter said.

She said police officers will ask the person if they can make the referral and help make the call to Single County Authority, standing by them as they go through the initial intake process.

“You making the LETI referral breaks down the stigma,” Holter said. “It’s meeting the person where they are.”

A police officer making a referral fills out an intake form and an information release form, which the potential patient signs. The information release allows that officer to receive updates on the patient’s treatment attendance.

Donna Jenereski, director of Single County Authority, said this initial phone call is crucial to assessing how quickly someone can access treatment.

“The person on the other line will ask basic intake questions, including what the person is using and how often,” she said.

Treatment could be available immediately or within a few hours, depending on the case, she said.

Holter said successful completion of treatment could result in officers not filing charges. She and Goldinger both stressed this decision is case-by-case, taking into consideration the entire scope of the person’s situation.

Butler city police Chief Robert O’Neill attended the first LETI training session with members of his department, and said by the end of the day, 40% of his officers will have attended.

“This is definitely relevant to the city of Butler, we will use this,” he said. “There’s so many instances where people can be diverted. Any resource that can help, we’re willing to use.”

He also said he was planning on sharing the information with chiefs of other local departments.

“Often times we encounter people at their worst,” he said. “We see them again and again and again. If we do this, maybe we can turn it around for them.”

The LETI referral can also be made after charges are filed, Holter said, meaning district judges can refer a defendant and potentially dismiss charges upon successful treatment.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton said he would be implementing LETI in his Chicora courtroom, and would work with probation officers to suggest candidates for referral.

“Any of these diversion programs are a good idea,” he said. “If you can, through a diversion program, get someone in recovery, it’s a big win. Even if you get a small percentage of people.”

He added people who previously struggled with substance abuse will sometimes report their progress to him when he’s off the bench.

“That’s a good feeling when you see people who come through your courtroom and they rightfully brag that they’ve been clean … It makes the job worth doing,” he said.

Following the first training, Goldinger said he expects to send out the presentation, LETI forms and policy information to other stakeholders.

Jenereski said once she heard about LETI, she was fully on board, saying that catching substance abuse before it turns into a criminal problem is helpful for law enforcement and those seeking treatment.

She added that the LETI process is full circle, allowing police officers to see what happens to people they frequently charged for drug activity.

“There’s a level of frustration with EMS and law enforcement because they don’t know the outcome (of treatment),” she said. “This impacts the burnout of what first responders see every single day.”

Holter shared many personal stories about the impact LETI has made in the over 20 counties that have implemented it throughout the state.

“It’s amazing how if you say to someone, ‘Hey, I care about you, I want to help you,’ it’s amazing the response you get back,” she said.