Substance Abuse Evaluation and Referral

In collaboration with the Onondaga County Assigned Counsel Program CCA provides a substance abuse evaluation and referral program. It is specifically designed for early intervention and cases of indigent defendants arrested on drug or drug-related charges. A new program component provides specialized services for young offenders between the ages of 16 and 21.

By identifying drug-involved people in the early stage of the criminal justice system, CCA provides opportunities for meaningful treatment involvement for the defendant while simultaneously expediting case processing. Clients evaluated by CCA are referred to treatment programs, as well as the Syracuse Drug Court, or the District Attorney's diversion program. Client efforts in treatment may then be used by defense counsel to advocate for either an alternative to incarceration or a least restrictive jail or prison sentence. Providing evaluation services to the assigned counsel system where attorneys have limited access to such expert services injects equity into the criminal justice system.

Recognizing that youth have different needs than adults, this program has designed new services to meet their special circumstances. The focus of the services to young people is to promote positive, non-criminal, and responsible behavior by referring youth to early intervention and educational program and employment services. Services include case management, group and individual counseling, educational/vocational evaluations and referrals, employment evaluations and referrals, life skills workshops, employment readiness training, and job placement.

Providing evaluation services to the assigned counsel system where attorneys have limited access to such expert services injects equity into the criminal justice system. CCA serves as an important link between the criminal justice system and treatment programs, a link which is particularly important for indigent clients who may have difficulty accessing these systems on their own. Most clients who successfully engage in treatment subsequently receive a non-custodial sanction.