Lancaster City Police Ride-Along Initiative Successfully Connects Individuals to Addiction & Mental Health Treatment Services

The Lancaster City Police Bureau, in partnership with Blueprints for Addiction Recovery (Second Chance PA), has launched a coordinated ride-along program to make addiction and mental health diversion services available to the citizens of Lancaster who need it most.

The program allows for behavioral health staff from Blueprints for Addiction Recovery, Inc. – including certified recovery specialists (CRSs) and drug and alcohol case managers – to engage community members directly in identified areas of need. They meet directly with individuals to assess their needs and connect them to a range of treatment and support services available in the region.

The program made dozens of encounters in September – its inaugural month – and successfully engaged 27 individuals with 13 connections to treatment.

“This partnership is an important step in intentionally improving public safety in our community. The pilot program with Blueprints for Addiction Recovery brings added help to officers answering calls relating to addiction and mental health needs, which benefits those in need and our officers while creating a streamlined connection to treatment. We hope this program offers a better path forward for Lancaster city and beyond,” said Mayor Danene Sorace.

“Partnering with the LCPB to continue to engage and interact with the folks in our community struggling with a variety of issues is proving to be impressively valuable from all perspectives. Together we can advance community health and further breakdown stigma that may exist between law enforcement and some of the vulnerable populations we serve. We are looking forward to continuing this ride-along program and partnership deep into the future,” said Christopher Dreisbach, CEO of Blueprints.

The ride-along program will continue every Tuesday and Thursday with its aim to provide ongoing treatment diversions.