Wayne County is one of seven counties to be selected as a new pilot site for a program aimed at diverting low-level offenders away from jail and into substance use disorder or mental health treatment.
Wayne County, along with Russell , are pilot sites for the Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal Program, which was created from the passage of Senate Bill 90 during the 2022 legislative session.
According to a presentation provided to the interim judiciary committee last week, the pilot program went live near the end of October.
The program is funded from the settlement monies that Kentucky and other states received from opioid manufacturers and distributors. The goal is to provide eligible individuals facing low-level criminal charges an opportunity to better their lives by diverting them into a behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment program while providing education, vocational services, and housing assistance.
To qualify, the person must be at least 18 years old and a Kentucky resident. They cannot be charged with a violent or sexual crime or a DUI. Other factors such as previous convictions are also considered.