eighthjdcourt

“Broken shell of a person” are the words that 44 year-old LIMA participant Scott used to describe himself before he experienced his “miracle” recovery with the diversion program. His speech got the attention of the graduation room, and will probably get the attention of a many people when they see how the program works. LIMA (Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction) is a nine to 12 month pre-booking diversion program, developed to address low-level drug crimes. LIMA is a collaboration between Eighth Judicial District Court (EJDC) and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).

“On April 2021, I was fresh off losing the rest of my family, my wife of 15 years, my home may job; everything,” said Scott. “I didn’t have a penny, an I.D., a phone, or anything.” He shared that he experienced a rebirth. “They showed me a life I thought I could never imagine,” said Scott. “I have a great job now. At 44 years old, I am confident about my future.”

Scott is like many who struggle with substance abuse and the resulting problems. “I grew up in a family that was fraught with addiction, mental problems, the works.”

“They found the worst of the worst when they found me: I’ve been to jail 65 times, chronic alcoholic. On paper this wouldn’t have work. There was nothing about my situation that said success, or redemption, or hope, nothing!”  

“Right now, I stand before you literally renewed,” Scott said, before giving one more final heartfelt thank you to the LIMA team.

At the graduation ceremony, fifteen graduates got up and shared how the program changed their life.

LVMPD officers redirect those with low-level drug related charges into the LIMA Program that uses the methods that have proven successful in the EJDC specialty courts to engage in community-based services. The goal is to get eligible individuals services that will help them and ultimately improve public safety and reduce criminal activity. Having law enforcement divert individuals away from the justice system into community-based services for treatment and life-skills training is intended to improve the likelihood that participants will achieve success. Those referred must have a chemical dependency issue and be willing to engage in treatment services throughout their participation in the LIMA Program.

Several keynote speakers gave positive messages including: LVMPD Captain Roxanne Burke; Leo Magrdichian, WestCare Nevada’s vice president of operations; Stephanie Lilly, LIMA alumni (LIMA’s very first client referral), District Court Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell,  and Darren Waller of the Las Vegas Raiders gave a video message. The event host was emceed by Bianca McCall, the founder and chief executive director of Desert Rose Counseling Group LLC.

 LIMA participants are referred to services based on their needs including:

· Individual and group substance abuse counseling provided

· Mental health and co-occurring counseling provided

· Collaborative case management

· Detoxification services

· Intensive outpatient and or inpatient treatment

· Weekly/biweekly meetings with case manager

· Referrals to sober living, low-income housing, and/or temporary/transitional housing and housing   services

· Assistance with secure vital documents and establishment of positive support system

The LIMA collaboration between Eighth Judicial District Court and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, is a great example of how using alternative, efficient methods to ensure

justice and reduce the potential for crime.

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