The Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada LIMA Program (Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction) will celebrate 20 grads who accessed services and skills-based training to stay on the right side of the law at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., on Friday, August 5 at 1 p.m. Several keynote speakers will convey positive messages including: Chef Jeff Henderson, Vera Moore from True Beginnings, and George Petty a LIMA program alumni who is now a case manager for Shine a Light. A current graduate is also scheduled to speak personally on  how the program saved her life.

LIMA is a nine to 12 month pre-booking diversion program, developed to address low-level drug crimes. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers redirect those with low-level drug related charges into the LIMA Program 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. When law enforcement diverts individuals away from the justice system into community-based services for treatment and life-skills training, it improves 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.

“The LIMA program is proving to be a true success story with 65 graduates including this class,” said District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiese. “The more we can divert people into a positive lifestyle versus incarceration, the better off our community will be as a whole.”  The program has positively impacted many including, a veteran who suffered from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. He successfully completed multiple levels of treatment, transitioned from grant funded housing to reunite with his wife and three daughters, and is now able to be an active member of his family again.

Participants will be 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

LIMA is a collaboration between Eighth Judicial District Court and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and is a great example of how using alternative, efficient methods to ensure justice and reduce the potential for crime.