When learning about the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative, Butler County’s district attorney Richard Goldinger and his counterpart in Armstrong County, Katie Charlton, agreed any impact the program could have on addiction was worth the implementation.

This resulted in Butler becoming one of 27 Pennsylvania counties to adopt the diversion initiative in January. Armstrong followed a few days later as the 28th county to participate.

The diversion initiative, also known as LETI, allows collaboration between the state Office of the Attorney General, local district attorneys, and drug and alcohol programs to train law enforcement officials to assist people struggling with substance abuse and refer them to treatment.

The program also serves as an incentive for those who are frequently charged with drug-related crimes. Should those individuals successfully complete treatment through a program referral, police could consider not filing charges against them.

Goldinger said a number of factors contributed to his interest in LETI, and the timing seemed right.

“It’s a good bridge between law enforcement and the community, and to provide trust,” he said. “It hasn’t been a good few years for law enforcement. I think this is a good program to show they’re not all about just arresting people; they want to get people help who want it and need it.”

“I was just sold on how it could help our community,” Charlton said. “I think it’s spreading because we’re all looking for different ways to help with this problem.”

Goldinger considers LETI’s adoption a trailblazing event, since Butler and Armstrong are the only two counties in the surrounding region to climb aboard so far.

“It’s an honor, and us and Armstrong are one of the first to implement it,” he said.

According to agent Janene Holter, the strategic initiatives operator for LETI, the program got its start in 2019.

“Part of the overall goal is to break down barriers for individuals who need access to treatment services,” she said.

Goldinger said that when he announced LETI was coming to Butler County in November, Charlton was there to support him. So when the time came for Charlton’s own news conference announcing the program in February, Goldinger returned the favor.

Charlton said she was intrigued by LETI after attending an implementation ceremony in Jefferson County, and thought the program could help her community.

“We see the same people over and over,” she said. “If we’re not addressing their underlying issues early, we’re essentially doing nothing.”

Counties implementing LETI start out with a core set of principles and policies, according to Goldinger, which can be modified to suit the needs of the county.

“It’s a fluid document that can be changed,” he said.

Holter said crafting the policy involves considering each stakeholder involved in helping those with substance abuse.

“We need to educate individuals of each county on what resources are available, as well as family members who have loved ones struggling with the disease,” she said.

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

Referrals also can be made by a police officer who is considering filing charges against someone for drug use or district judges who repeatedly see the same faces in their courtroom for drug charges.

The initiative’s success is determined by how people who can make referrals respond, Goldinger said.

“I think it has to do with the buy-in of law enforcement,” he said. “No one has been negative about it, which I think is a good sign.”

The community affiliation was what Charlton said she liked best.

“LETI connects the community with those (treatment) resources 24/7,” she said. “I’ll see mothers and grandmothers who look at their son or daughter or grandchild and are saying, ‘My (family member) has this addiction, and I don’t know how to help them.’”

The program gives those family members access to referral resources as well as connections to family group sessions, payment options for treatment, and more.

She said Armstrong County’s LETI announcement had community members in attendance.

“The response that I have gotten was very positive, and it’s because we’ve been dealing with this issue how many years now?” she said. “The criminal justice system cannot address these issues alone. Simply arresting people is not addressing the issue.”

The LETI program is successful when faith communities, family, friends and law enforcement team up and make referrals, according to Holter. She added that referral rates generally increase in number the longer LETI is used in a county.

Average referral rates fluctuate by county, but since LETI’s launch in 2020, Holter said 688 referrals have been made across Pennsylvania.

“Part of the mission is connecting people who were scared or tentative to make the call to services that can save their lives,” she said.