PA LEAD program sees successes in Schuylkill

Just a few weeks after Schuylkill County joined the PA LEAD program, two people have approached law enforcement representatives and been admitted into drug treatment.

PA LEAD allows someone seeking treatment for addiction to visit their local police department and be connected with a participating local treatment partner without threat of arrest. Last month, Attorney General Josh Shapiro kicked off the program in Schuylkill County. Somerset was the first county for the program; Carbon County launched its program in March 2019.

Through the program, the office of the Attorney General partners with district attorneys and law enforcement to help open doors for people seeking addiction treatment. The office helps set up training for law enforcement personnel, provides sample documents and policies, and establishes connections and partnerships with local treatment facilities.

Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol Director Melissa Kalyan said that the referral system was working.

“We have actually had two referrals since the kickoff last month, which impresses everyone,” Kalyan said. “The first was a referral from the Pottsville Police Department, and although I cannot give you much information, they were able to take the individual over to Clinical Outcomes Group, and from there they were sent to treatment.”

“The second referral came from the Adult Probation Office and was similar in that they were able to get the individual to COGI and were then sent to treatment,” she added. “So both successful.”

Kalyan said that she was very pleased with the cooperation the program is getting from area police departments and other law enforcement entities.

“This project will allow us to serve more individuals in the community that may not otherwise present for treatment or just put off reaching out themselves,” Kalyan said. “It is another tool in our toolbox and we tried making it simple for police by giving them just one number to call.”