Andover Drug Offender Diversion Program Focus of Open Mike

A program to steer drug offenders away from the courts and into treatment is the focus of an Andover Police effort.

Andover Police Sgt. Gregory Scott, responsible for community support, and Andover Community Support Coordinator Sobhan Namvar discuss the diversion effort on Monday night’s Open Mike Show on 97.9 WHAV.

Besides moving non-violent, first-time offenders away from the criminal justice system, the effort aims to educate and support families on approaches to address addiction. The program, based at the Andover Community Drop-In Center, began about a year ago at the suggestion of Cormier Youth Center Executive Director William Fahey, Police Chief Patrick Keefe and Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan.

Open Mike Show begins at 6:30 p.m., Monday.