National Deflection Week July 14-20 & National Deflection Day July 17

The Substance Use Deflection Initiative at NEOMED and partners around the state are joining together to observe National Day of Deflection on Wednesday, July 17, and National Deflection Week July 14-20. The Substance Use Deflection Initiative, housed in the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence, was established with support from the Office of Criminal Justice Services and offers center of excellence functions for Ohio’s deflection community.

Deflection Week is an opportunity to celebrate the advancements and progress in deflection and pre-arrest diversion efforts and the people who make that progress possible. 

Deflection programs seek to intercept persons with substance use disorder prior to entering the criminal justice system and offer linkage to support services, treatment, and recovery-oriented systems of care.

How can you take action on National Deflection Day?

• Sign up for the Deflection ECHO - Addiction treatment providers, first responders, peers, law enforcement, and individuals with lived experience are encouraged to register to become a part of this virtual learning community.
• Keep up on Deflection news by joining the Substance Use Deflection Initiative Email List
• Check out Deflection Resources on our webpage
• Learn more about the history of deflection in Ohio on the Ohio Deflection Association website
• Take the Deflection e-Course with PTACC
• Sign up for the PTACC Directory to be included in a comprehensive listing of deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs in the United States
• Learn more about innovative deflection efforts through PAARI’s Partner Spotlight
• Share your deflection activities with your community using the hashtag #NationalDeflectionWeek2024

Ohio calls National Day of Deflection “Bridge Day.” We hope to see deflection events in all 88 counties over a two-day span this year.