Indiana County District Attorney Bob Manzi has announced that the a focused diversion program aimed at providing early drug and alcohol treatment to first time offenders had its first person graduate from the program.
Manzi announced that the person, who was not named in the news release, was the first person to enter the program in March as they faced a low-level misdemeanor offense. The victim entered the program with the permission of the victim, the arresting officer and the DA’s office. During the program, the suspect completed drug and alcohol treatment along with all the other conditions connected with the case and was released. The goal is to make sure that the graduate of the program does not return to the criminal justice system, using an evidence-based approach with specific treatments for each defendant.
In the news release, Manzi called the program a plus for the county, as defendants address their issues and are less likely to commit further crimes, the victims are made whole quickly, and it will reduce crime in the county and lower costs for taxpayers.
The program was put together by the DA’s office and the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission.
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