Considerations for First Responder Deflection in Rural Communities

Across the United States, jurisdictions are turning to first responder deflection (FRD) and pre-arrest diversion programming to combat the opioid crisis and to assist individuals suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). These programs help to connect individuals with SUDs to treatment and services and provide pivotal opportunities to redirect them away from placement in jails or emergency departments. These programs are known as law enforcement diversion, pre-arrest diversion, deflection, or pre-booking diversion, as well as other names. In this brief, they will be referred to as FRD programs.