Vera Moore with Divinity House was a guest speaker at the recent LIMA Program (Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction) graduation ceremony. She was speaking from experience when she said, “I had a long history of prison, as well as institutions and jails; and I knew that if I didn’t put myself in treatment, death was sure to follow.” It is a powerful message that rings true; especially to the LIMA graduates who have seen friends die from overdose. Vera, who has 10 years of recovery under her belt, now spends her time helping others. “I have suffered homelessness, domestic violence and substance abuse and I wasn’t going back,” said Moore. “I made a solid decision and I make one every single day,” Her goal is to offer the type of help that wasn’t available to her when she started recovery.
Complete inspiring presentation from Vera Moore with Divinity House https://youtu.be/ZKPckoNmFeo
LIMA participants have help with turning their lives around. 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 Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada 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. Having METRO 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. Despite the help, recovery is still difficult. At the graduation, 17 new grads were celebrated for their big recovery milestone of completing the 12-month program.
A miracle happened to me when I was in prison.
Chef Jeff
The grads heard from several inspiring speakers including Chef Jeff, who went from being incarcerated, to being a successful chef, author, television personality and life strategist. “It takes courage to change, it takes courage to beat those addictions,” said Chef Jeff. “I understand as a father and a grandfather the damage that drugs does to us and our community and how that impacts our legacy and how that impacts our children; and how that cycle of drug addiction and incarceration and criminal culture continues on.” While he was incarcerated he said that he blamed everyone until he began to be mentored and read books. “A miracle happened to me when I was in prison.” He encouraged the new LIMA grads, “Think about your children; think about your legacy. What will people remember you by?” He encouraged the grads t re-write their legacy.
Chef Jeff shares his inspiring story of redemption (complete version) https://youtu.be/VfPZcjRxJ7Y
The grads heard from one of their own classmates who was homeless for four years. She read a heart-wrenching letter that she wrote to herself before her recovery. The letter conveyed her feeling at the time that she was better off not living. She said that she is not that person anymore. She is working, has a home, and is with her family again. Before thanking the LIMA team she said, “I am standing here today for my mom, my family and for me.”
Those referred into the LIMA program must have a chemical dependency issue and be willing to engage in treatment services throughout their participation.
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, a 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.