INDIANA – Attorney General Dave Sunday today announced the expansion of the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI) in Indiana County to include a new behavioral health component, further strengthening the county’s response to substance use and mental health challenges.
Indiana County has been an active participant in LETI and is now the sixth county in Pennsylvania to incorporate the program’s behavioral health services component – enhancing its ability to connect individuals with the appropriate level of care based on their specific needs and assessments.
LETI is a collaborative program launched by the Office of Attorney General in partnership with district attorney’s offices and other law enforcement to divert individuals suffering from substance use disorder or from behavioral health concerns from potential criminal prosecution by being referred to treatment services or case management.
“LETI is an important tool in addressing both substance use disorders and the broader mental health crisis impacting communities across Pennsylvania,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I commend Indiana County and District Attorney Manzi for continuing to build on this program and for their commitment to being part of the solution. Expanding LETI to include a behavioral health component ensures more individuals can access the help they need, when they need it.”
AG Sunday said partnering with Indiana law enforcement agencies PA LETI will:
- Strengthen community efforts to redirect individuals struggling with substance use or behavioral health away from arrest or incarceration and toward community-based treatment and recovery services.
- Create more accessible pathways to treatment and case management by empowering law enforcement and prosecutors to make direct referrals to the county for substance use, behavioral health or both.
- Foster trust and collaboration between law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office and the communities they serve by offering help and resources rather than arrest and furtherance of prosecution when able.
In Indiana County, individuals can walk into the police station, probation office, sheriff’s department, or the local drug and alcohol authority and ask to be connected to drug and alcohol or behavioral health services. This program also empowers law enforcement to offer treatment to people suffering from addiction and will help stop the revolving door that exists for individuals who do not receive treatment.
“Since 2023, we have utilized the LETI program to address the treatment needs of defendants involved in low-level crime, with the goal of reducing recidivism and enhancing community safety,” Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi, Jr., said. “Through this initiative, hundreds of cases have been placed in diversion programs, achieving a success rate of over 95 percent. These outcomes mean fewer people committing crimes, safer neighborhoods, and a reduced financial burden on taxpayers.
“The expansion of LETI into Behavioral Health builds on this success and aligns with our ongoing commitment to address emerging challenges within the criminal justice system. By leveraging every available resource, we continue to make Indiana County a great place to raise a family.”
To date, LETI has received over 3,000 referrals from concerned individuals throughout the Commonwealth.
Agent Lauren Diller is the Office of Attorney General’s dedicated full-time agent who coordinates PA LETI. Her work includes training, writing policies for each participating county, convening key community stakeholders, and case management of LETI referrals.
LETI currently operates in Armstrong, Berks, Bradford, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Chester, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Indiana, Jefferson, Lebanon, Luzerne, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Union, Wayne, Wyoming, and Northampton counties.
District Attorneys in Pennsylvania interested in starting or expanding a PA LETI program should contact the Office of Attorney General at 717-787-3391 or 833-OAG-4YOU.
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