Joudrey, Paul J.Nelson, Christina R.Lawson, KellyMorford, Kenneth L.Muley, DakibuWatson, CynthiaOkafor, MarthaWang, Emily A.Crusto, Cindy A.2022-02-282021-10Joudrey, P.J., Nelson, C.R., Lawson, K. et al. Law enforcement assisted diversion : qualitative evaluation of barriers and facilitators of program implementation', Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, vol. 129, art. 108476, pp. 1-7.0740-547210.1016/j.jsat.2021.108476http://hdl.handle.net/2263/84268SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL : Appendix A: Interview guideBACKGROUND : Despite widespread interest in adoption, there has been limited systematic examination of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) implementation, a model for police-led arrest diversion for those with substance use disorders (SUD). In the fall of 2017, the City of New Haven started a LEAD program. During the first 9 months of the pilot, only 2 clients were successfully diverted from arrest. Therefore, we examined the and barriers and facilitators of LEAD implementation. METHODS : We conducted semi-structured interviews and field observations of LEAD police officers and health care providers between August 2018 and June 2019. Interviews and field observations were analyzed using directed content analysis and guided by the Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework. RESULTS : Lead professionals participated in 19 semi-structured interviews and three field observations. Barriers to arrest diversion implementation included procedural complexity of arrest diversion, concerns about reduced penalties for substance use among officers, stigma of SUDs, and a belief in a punitive role for policing. Facilitators included a positive longitudinal relationship with potential clients and an understanding of SUD as a chronic disease. CONCLUSION : We identified several barriers to LEAD implementation. Our results suggest promotion of SUD as a chronic disease, ongoing training of officers, and positive incentives for entering substance use treatment should be utilized to facilitate implementation.en© 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, vol. 129, art. 108476, pp. 1-7, 2021. doi : 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108476.Law enforcement assisted diversion (LEAD)Substance use disorders (SUD)Punitive police roleProcedural complexityAddictionPostprint Article