Kennewick city attorney presents results of pretrial diversion program; city cites lower recidivism and partnerships

City Attorney Lorenzo presented data June 24 to the Kennewick City Council showing early results from the city's pretrial diversion program for possession and public use of controlled substances, and described partnerships local government has formed to support participants.

Lorenzo said the city started referring defendants to a pretrial diversion program on Oct. 30, 2023, and that a substance-use-disorder professional (SUDP) was assigned Feb. 1, 2024. As of the June 24 presentation, 22 participants had completed the program, which Lorenzo said represented about 11% of those who entered; 11 additional participants were in outpatient treatment and would raise the projected completion rate to approximately 16.5 percent. Lorenzo reported a 9.09 percent recidivism rate among participants who completed the program.

Lorenzo described the program as targeted to first- and second-time possession/public-use charges; the city prosecutes third and subsequent offenses. He said that, in 2024, roughly 44 percent of the city attorney’s caseload was directly or indirectly related to alcohol or drug use, and that Kennewick prosecuted about 3,926 cases in 2024. He told council the city’s overdose calls rose sharply—"Kennewick's overdose has increased 279 percent from 2022 to 2023 and a 146% from 2023 to 2024," he said—and that nonfatal overdoses rose faster than fatal overdoses because of widespread bystander Narcan administration.

Lorenzo credited Merit Resource Services (Merit) for assigning an SUDP and two navigators who visit defendants in jail and court, secure bed dates, provide transport and support to increase completion rates. He said Deputy City Manager Beaton applied for and won funds from the State Office of Public Defense to assign a contractor defense attorney to possession/public-use cases and that state public-defense social workers will begin assisting next week.

Council members asked questions and praised the city attorney’s work. Council members noted the program reduces jail time and can save money compared with incarceration. Lorenzo said the city seeks consistency in investigations and prosecutions and that referral timelines applied in practice (five days for first charge, 10 days for second, increasing up to 180 days for subsequent matters). He emphasized the program’s local impact, saying participants had committed a range of offenses before treatment and substantially fewer after completion.

No formal council action was taken on the presentation; it was delivered for council information and discussion.