Authorizing the Special Committee on Kensington to convene and investigate the processes and effectiveness of the current and past diversion programs in relation to individuals suffering from substance use disorder in the Kensington area.

Authorizing the Special Committee on Kensington to convene and investigate the processes and effectiveness of the current and past diversion programs in relation to individuals suffering from substance use disorder in the Kensington area. WHEREAS, The opioid crisis has significantly impacted communities nationwide, with Philadelphia experiencing a staggering increase in opioid-related fatalities, with over 1,200 overdose deaths in 2021 alone. This represents a 53% increase from the previous year, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health in 2022; and WHEREAS, Kensington has been disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis, with estimates indicating that over 40% of the City's opioid-related deaths occur within this neighborhood, according to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office in 2021; and WHEREAS, Diversion programs have shown promise in providing alternatives to incarceration, with studies indicating that individuals who participate in these programs are 30% less likely to re-offend compared to those who do not receive treatment, according to research from the Urban Institute in 2018; and WHEREAS, The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that individuals engaged in treatment programs have a 40-60% improvement in treatment retention and recovery outcomes compared to those who do not have access to such programs, as reported in 2021; and WHEREAS, Understanding the effectiveness of existing diversion programs in Kensington is critical for enhanci…