News Fall 2017
Innovative Prevention Program Provides Alternative for Low-Level Drug Offenders District Attorney Kevin Steele. "Our hope is that this program will save young people from going down that path and protect their futures."
Pilot Program of Township Police And County District Attorney's Office The Lower Providence Township Police Department and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office formed the Drug Education and Abuse Prevention program (D.E.A.P.) in March of 2017. D.E.A.P. is a pilot program for 18 to 26 year olds arrested for minor drug charges. The voluntary program is for non-violent offenders and utilizes various strategies to deter defendants from escalated drug use and the more serious arrests that often accompany drug addiction. Eligible offenders are those who are arrested for simple possession of narcotics or paraphernalia who have not been previously arrested. Exceptions may be made for offenders with prior convictions for underage drinking or other minor offenses. The goal of the program is to target the symptomatic issues of prolonged drug use and the inherent crimes committed to support that habit. The elements of the D.E.A.P. program are: An introductory meeting with LPPD Lieutenant Mike Jackson, Deputy District Attorney Samantha Cauffman and Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Rebar A drug and alcohol assessment as well as a presentation on drug use and addiction from professionals in the addiction field and recovering drug abusers
A presentation on the medical consequences of drug use by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office Court observation of current cases at the Montgomery County Drug Court Participants must remain drug and arrest free during all phases of the program and for six months following the completion of all elements Participants are subject to random drug testing while in the D.E.A.P. program "The drug epidemic we are facing is widespread across Montgomery County and overdose deaths are growing. We cannot simply arrest our way out of this epidemic. Fighting it requires innovative approaches on multiple fronts to try to stem the progression from low-level drug use to heroin use and a potential overdose down the road," said Montgomery County
Inside This Issue
Contact Information ...........................2 Board & Commissions Opportunities ..2 Meeting Schedule...............................2 Flood Barriers New To Township.........3 Development Projects ........................4 Police Department News ....................6 Sewer Authority News........................7 Stormwater Management...................8 Yard Cleanup Reminders .....................9
Public Works Reminders ...................10 Caring and Sharing Program..............11 Library Events & Programs ...........13-15 Fire Prevention Week........................16 School Is Open ..................................17 TV Disposal Options..........................18 Fall Festival.......................................19 Parks & Recreation News.............20-23
While participating in the program, the criminal case will be suspended to allow for successful completion. Participants will not be formally arrested, which means they will not be processed or fingerprinted so no criminal record will be created. A participant who successfully completes all phases as well as the probationary period will not face any criminal charges. Failing to complete any element of the program will result in their arrest for the initiating case with full prosecution to follow. Lower Providence Township Police Chief Stanley Turtle stated, "Our hope is to provide at-risk young adults with the knowledge and desire to avoid future drug use or drug addiction and any consequences that will follow." Twenty-one offenders have been accepted into the program with eight completing the educational phase to date. Unfortunately, seven participants have been dismissed from the program for continued drug use or failing to comply with program requirements and now face prosecution for their offenses. Feedback from participants and their families has been extremely positive. The department offers best wishes to all those involved in the program as we strive to mitigate drug use and the lasting ill effects on our community.
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Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania • www.lowerprovidence.org