Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced a new program Wednesday that the district attorney’s office is establishing to treat individuals entering the criminal justice system affected by substance use disorder with the goal to find them treatment and other services.

The program, Rapid Assessment Divert to Treatment, is a collaborative effort between the district attorney, Lehigh Valley Pretrial Services, Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol, Lehigh County Jail, Lehigh County Public Defender’s Office and the Lehigh County Adult Probation Office.

The program is designed to provide evaluations and services not long after a person is arrested with the goal of finding them treatment that, if successfully completed, may allow their criminal charges to be reduced or disposed of before the case reaches the Court of Common Pleas.

“This program has the potential to be a life-altering experience for many people,” Martin said.

Participation in the program is voluntary and does not require any formal finding of guilt.

The program will identify individuals upon their entry into the criminal justice system with drug addictions and rapidly obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation. Referrals to treatment program can come from anyone.

The treatment program will focus on individuals who do not have an extensive criminal history and under most circumstances, would not be recommended for participation in the Drug Court.

Based upon the recommended course of treatment, the program will then divert participants to the appropriate inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Additional services will also be provided with the hope of preventing further criminal behavior and to reduce addiction to controlled substances and/or substance use disorders.