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St. Louis County Receives Grants For . . .
PDMP, Implement Diversion Program
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH) has received two three-year grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to fight opioids and prescription drug abuse. One grant will go toward the implementation of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program, and one will go toward the expansion of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP).
PDMP Expansion
A grant of $1.9 million dollars has been awarded to St. Louis County to fund enhancements to and expansion of the PDMP, which monitors how controlled substances are prescribed and dispensed.
County Executive Dr. Sam Page led the effort to create the PDMP, which was officially established in 2017. The program now covers 85% of the Missouri population.
“We are thrilled with how much the PDMP has grown since it was established more than two years ago, and this new grant funding will help it expand even further,” County Executive Page said. “The grant funding also will help the system better identify high-risk patients, participate in early intervention, and direct patients to safe and effective treatments.”
LEAD Program
A $1.2-million-dollar grant has been awarded to St. Louis County for the implementation of the LEAD Program, which provides a legal pathway to redirect individuals with low-level, non-violent, drug-related offenses from the criminal justice system and into treatment services.
In 2018 at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center, 37% of the incarcerated population had a substance use disorder when entering the jail. Upon release, LEAD participants are 58% less likely to be arrested again.
“As we continue to push forward and do everything possible to address this substance use crisis, we cannot forget those who are often the most vulnerable,” St. Louis County DPH Acting Co-Director Spring Schmidt said. “Treatment in community settings is more effective than corrections for those with a substance use disorder.” The grant was awarded to St. Louis County DPH in conjunction with the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services, the St. Louis County Police Department, and the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
