Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 Jail Diversion Program bolsters eff ort to combat addiction, mental health issues By Christopher Roberson A lthough its name suggests otherwise, the Jail Diversion Program at the Eliot Center actually does much more than Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death keep residents out of jail. “The program is largely not about diverting individuals from jail and is mainly about providing proper mental health and substance use treatment to those who reach out to the police,” said Theadora Peterson, the program’s clinical coordinator. “The program works to steer individuals away from jail by having a trained clinician available with offi cers who can spot the underlying issues that create the cycle of crime.” Peterson said the program was adopted in Everett three years ago when Police Chief Steven Mazzie cited the need for Theadora Peterson, clinical coordinator of Eliot Community Human Services’ Jail Diversion Program, is shown with Everett Police Offi cer Eric Williamson. * Zoning/Permitting Litigation Key to the City 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $2.639 Mid Unleaded $2.739 Super $2.839 Diesel Fuel $2.819 "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 KERO $4.65 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $2.349 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A A DA The Advocate gets RESULTS! Aluminum Everett er 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 62 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! family since 1958 • 60 •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roofng •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roo ng n • Fully Insured •• Replacement Windows Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com g Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Everett Aluminum Mayor Carlo DeMaria presented Ida Reppucci of the Council on Aging with a Key to the City on April 23 in recognition of her “dedication and commitment to human services.” (Photo Courtesy of the City of Everett) (Courtesy Photo) a concentrated effort to help those affl icted by addiction and mental health conditions. “Often these individuals are not able to control their actions,” said Peterson. “To hold a person accountable for actions that they have little control over is unfair and unproductive. In the end, this creates more problems for mentally ill individuals and just continues the cycle of crime.” However, she also said the program should never be viewed as a “free pass.” “Individuals who come through the program often must face their charges at a later date,” she Peterson. In addition, Peterson said that last year alone the Jail Diversion Program provided services to 17,356 individuals across Massachusetts. “Eighty-seven percent of those incidents involved a bePROGRAM | SEE PAGE 14 Spring! Prices subject to change around FLEET
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