ACCORDING TO ITS mission statement, the purpose of the Merrimack County Diversion Center is "to hold offenders accountable while providing the resources, skills, and education to prevent them from committing new crimes."

In 2003, the FAST Program (First-time Alcohol and Substance Treatment) was created to address drug and alcohol offenders at the district court level. "The FAST program has helped us reach a historically underserved population of drug and alcohol offenders," says Steven T. Casale, Director of the Diversion Center. In addition to this new program, the Center houses three others: the Adult Felony and the Adult Misdemeanor programs and the Bridge Program for juvenile, non-sexual and non-violent offenders.

At the annual meeting of the New Hampshire Association of Counties, the Center was highlighted as a statewide model. Serving Merrimack County since 1992, it has had a record year in both referrals (187: 113, Adult Diversion; 53, FAST Program; 21 Bridge Program) and in collected restitution for victims of crime ($30,765.99). In addition, the Bridge Program provided the opportunity for Diversion staff and eight juveniles to enjoy a daylong canoe trip down the Merrimack River last July. The day included a barbeque, swimming, and other activities and was completely funded by a grant from the ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team) Program.

The Center’s office space has been greatly expanded, too; it now includes a conference room where classes may be conducted in-house—and the entire staff has private offices, greatly increasing client confidentiality. In fact, Diversion Center clients provided the labor for the new space as part of their community service requirement. Community service hours were also spent at the Donation Depot, Hopkinton Fair, Capital Center for the Arts, Bow Bike Race, Canterbury Shaker Village, and many other sites. Hours totaled 12,688 for 2003.

In addition to Steve Casale, the staff at the Center includes Randy Whitehead, Program Coordinator; three case managers, Dave Seguin, Cheryl Thompson, and Starr Smith; a drug counselor, Cheryl Wilkie; Community Service Supervisor, Abigail Hayes; and Linda Burns, secretary.

The Diversion Center is a division of the Merrimack County Attorney’s Office, headed by County Attorney Daniel I. St. Hilaire. It is located at 163 North Main Street, Concord and welcomes the opportunity to be a resource for members of the New Hampshire Bar Association who practice criminal law in Merrimack County. To learn more about the Center’s programs and how these programs may assist you in your practice, call (603) 226-1921 or FAX inquiries to (603) 228-2143.

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