CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH — Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish issued the following statement:

“Our goal since the inception of the Diversion Center has been to connect individuals suffering from mental illness or substance abuse disorder with a direct resource that offers better treatment options and services than incarceration.

I applaud the Mayor’s decision to change the city’s policy and improve Cleveland Police Department participation in the program. We expect the City of Cleveland to be the largest single user that will take advantage of this County resource.

I look forward to our continued collaboration in utilizing this facility to its fullest capabilities to provide mentally-ill residents or those suffering from addiction with treatment services outside the criminal justice system.”