Deflection Encounters: Motivational Interviewing and Maximal Minutes

N | Abstract: This article is a practice review for the application of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to be applied to First Responder Deflection programming. Deflection relies on law enforcement and a host of community responders to be the referral source to community-based drug treatment and mental health services prior to any potential crises or arrest. Deflection differs from the common term of diversion as it deflects those needing substance use or mental health services without an arrest and legal system processing. There is a short review of the innovative structure that Deflection has constructed and a brief examination of the delivery framework of this new approach. With over 1,000 sites of Deflection currently in operation, this practice review calls for the field to place more focus on what treatment mechanics are to be used. Specifically, the implementation and deployment of Motivational Interviewing is discussed by reviewing seven benefits. A question is asked of the field: Could MI be endowed as a best practice for deflection? A listing of several of these benefits include; Mi employs nonadversarial methods which syncs with the voluntary nature of Deflection along with the research that if MI is added to an existing evidence-based practice, MI increases the outcomes for both practices. Other benefits include MI doubles its effect size when used with minority populations; has effective resistance-lowering techniques; and MI is helpful when used with person’s challenged by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring conditions. Readers are asked to consider that the leading service that deflection programs link to is substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and medication assisted treatment (MAT). With that leading service connection, it is explained that MI can increase a client’s sense of importance to choose, comply, and continue with the use of MAT. This review moved further to report MI has been called an “effective tool” for use within short time frames and is notable for creating “potent opportunities” within first contacts. The term “maximal minutes” is coined in this review to speak to how the use of MI can help first meetings with clients that occur within compressed time frames. Key Words: criminal justice deflection, motivational interviewing, opioid crisis, deflection, prearrest deflection, law enforcement, racial equity, criminal justice, SDG 1, SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 10, SDG 16, SDG.