ABSTRACT

In Washington State, U.S., 29 of every 10,000 individuals were homeless in 2019. It has been estimated that over 80% of chronically homeless individuals have experienced substance use disorders. Snohomish County Diversion Center (SCDC) is a program in Washington State designed to divert homeless individuals with substance use disorders from hospitalization and incarceration toward treatment and housing. It is a collaboration between the Human Services Department, Sheriff’s Office, and a not-for-profit organization. Police officers in collaboration with Law Enforcement Embedded Social Workers (LEESWs) visit homeless encampments where they make contact with potential clients and assess their interest in receiving substance use disorder treatment. Once a client agrees to the program, he/she is provided transportation to SCDC where individuals stay while they are being connected to services. An evaluation of the program has shown a reduction in incarceration, jail days, psychiatric hospital stays, and homelessness.

摘要

在美国华盛顿州，2019 年每 10,000 人中有 29 人无家可归。据估计，超过 80% 的长期无家可归者患有物质使用障碍。斯诺霍米什县转移中心 (SCDC) 是华盛顿州的一个项目，旨在将患有药物滥用障碍的无家可归者从住院和监禁转移到治疗和住房。它是人类服务部、警长办公室和非营利组织之间的合作。警察与执法嵌入式社会工作者 (LEESW) 合作访问无家可归者营地，在那里他们与潜在客户接触并评估他们对接受药物滥用障碍治疗的兴趣。一旦客户同意该计划，为他/她提供前往 SCDC 的交通工具，个人在连接到服务时会在那里停留。对该计划的评估表明，监禁、入狱时间、精神病院住院时间和无家可归人数有所减少。