Acting state Attorney General Michelle Henry announced Monday that Luzerne County is now a part of the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI).
The program seeks to provide assistance to Pennsylvanians struggling with substance use disorder. Luzerne is now the 20th county in the state to join LETI.
Ryan Hogan, director of Luzerne/Wyoming Drug and Alcohol Programs, spoke with WVIA News in December about the initiative and its expansion.
"At time of arrest, law enforcement has the option to contact our office, and we could screen the individual, assess the individual and get them placed in treatment as opposed to pressing the charges right then and there," Hogan said.
Hogan said if the person enrolls in a program and complies with treatment for up to six months, the law enforcement officer has the option to drop charges.
Locally, LETI already operates in Carbon, Columbia, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, and Wyoming counties.