North Carolina Expands LEAD Programs to Combat Addiction and Reduce Crime
In an effort to connect individuals struggling with addiction to vital support services and decrease repeat offenses, North Carolina is expanding its Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs. Announced by Governor Josh Stein, alongside the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC), the initiative will extend to multiple law enforcement agencies across the state. This expansion follows the successful groundwork laid by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Fayetteville Police Department.
“We can’t arrest our way out of addiction. We need treatment and recovery services so that people can get well, follow the law, and contribute to their communities,” stated Governor Josh Stein. He highlighted that Fayetteville and Cumberland County have been leading by example for years, using opioid settlement funds to bolster their LEAD program. With a new $1.5 million investment, LEAD will now expand to six more communities, marking a significant advance in promoting health and safety.
According to North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, “LEAD recognizes that substance use challenges are public health issues with public safety consequences.” He emphasized that the newly launched system will allow communities to respond more effectively to the needs of individuals with substance use and mental health challenges, thereby embodying the principles of integrated care.
Designed as alternatives to punitive measures, LEAD programs focus on non-violent, low-level crimes often linked to substance use. Eligible individuals are connected to case workers who provide access to mental health, medical, and social services, significantly reducing the chances of reoffending. The City of Fayetteville Police Department pioneered the LEAD program in 2016, setting a precedent in the South and across the nation. Subsequent expansions have been funded by national opioid settlement funds secured during Governor Stein’s tenure as Attorney General.
Read about Governor Stein’s longstanding support of the LEAD program.
The NCHRC received $1.5 million from NCDHHS to facilitate the program’s expansion, with a focus on areas previously underserved due to resource limitations. As the lead partner, NCHRC will oversee the project, provide technical support, and ensure robust coordination across systems. They will focus on site readiness, workforce development, and partnership facilitation with law enforcement and community providers to guarantee sustainable, high-quality diversion practices.
“We’re excited to expand strategies that we know work,” said Dr. Elyse Powell, Executive Director of the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition. “We know that participants in LEAD are almost 40% less likely to be rearrested or face new charges after enrollment because the program connects people to care that addresses the underlying issues driving system involvement.”
The initiative is part of NCDHHS’s broader commitment to support justice-involved individuals by enhancing services related to reentry, diversion, and mental health care access. This work is deemed critical to developing a mental health system that serves all North Carolinians, fostering healthier and safer communities.
About the NCHRC
The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) is a grassroots organization focusing on harm reduction strategies, public health initiatives, drug policy reform, and justice reform across North Carolina. NCHRC engages in advocacy, resource development, coalition building, and offers direct services to those affected by drug use, incarceration, and related issues.
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