Addressing Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Needs in the Justice System

The Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) was developed as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) legislation. COSSAP’s purpose is to provide financial and technical assistance to states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to develop, implement, or expand comprehensive efforts to identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by illicit opioids, stimulants, and other drugs of abuse. The objective of Category 2 is to support states in their efforts to implement or enhance, in a minimum of six geographically diverse counties, localities, or regions, activities to: expand access to supervision, treatment, and recovery support services across the criminal justice system; support law enforcement and other first responder diversion programs for nonviolent drug offenders; promote education and prevention activities; and address the needs of children impacted by substance abuse. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is applying for grant funding in the amount of $5,368,458 to address opioid, stimulant, and substance abuse needs in the justice system. Priority considerations addressed in this application include serving counties with high rates of overdose deaths, as well as rural areas. Pennsylvania’s proposed project will support eight counties (Carbon, Clearfield-Jefferson, Clinton, Dauphin, Fayette, Greene, Northumberland, and Snyder) in implementing law enforcement diversion programs, jail-based screening protocols, and comprehensive reentry services. The program will also support naloxone training and distribution programs in correctional settings for individuals with substance use disorder leaving local jails. The project will help prevent individuals with substance use disorder from becoming involved in the criminal justice system, as well as provide individuals with appropriate and evidence-based care and support during and after incarceration. These efforts will also enhance connections between law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, and treatment providers to build pathways to rehabilitation and breaking the cycle of recidivism.