European Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies on Human Rights and Science - Knowmad Institut
Published April 25, 2025 | Version v2
Journal article Open

Deflection Encounters: Motivational Interviewing and Maximal Minutes

Authors/Creators

Contributors

  • 1. TASC's Center for Health and Justice
  • 2. European Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies on Human Rights and Science - Knowmad Institut

Description

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.

Abstract (Spanish)

ES | Abstract: 

Este artículo es una revisión de la práctica para la aplicación de la Entrevista Motivacional (MI) que se aplicará a la programación de la Deflexión de Primera Respuesta. La deflexión se basa en la aplicación de la ley y una serie de respondedores de la comunidad para ser la fuente de referencia para el tratamiento de drogas basado en la comunidad y los servicios de salud mental antes de cualquier crisis potencial o arresto. La deflexión difiere del término común de deflexión, ya que desvía a quienes necesitan servicios para el consumo de sustancias o de salud mental sin que se produzca una detención ni se tramite en el sistema judicial. A continuación se presenta una breve reseña de la estructura innovadora que ha construido Deflection y un breve examen del marco de prestación de este nuevo enfoque. Con más de 1.000 centros de Deflexión actualmente en funcionamiento, esta revisión de la práctica hace un llamamiento para que se preste más atención a los mecanismos de tratamiento que deben utilizarse. En concreto, se analiza la aplicación y el despliegue de la Entrevista Motivacional mediante la revisión de siete beneficios. Se plantea una pregunta al campo: ¿Podría MI ser dotado como una mejor práctica para la deflexión? Una lista de varios de estos beneficios incluyen; Mi emplea métodos no adversariales que se sincroniza con la naturaleza voluntaria de Deflexión junto con la investigación que si MI se añade a una práctica basada en la evidencia existente, MI aumenta los resultados para ambas prácticas. Otros beneficios incluyen que la IM duplica su tamaño de efecto cuando se utiliza con poblaciones minoritarias; tiene técnicas eficaces para reducir la resistencia; y la IM es útil cuando se utiliza con personas que padecen trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) y afecciones concurrentes. Se pide a los lectores que tengan en cuenta que el principal servicio al que se vinculan los programas de deflexión es el tratamiento de los trastornos por consumo de sustancias (TUS) y el tratamiento asistido con medicación (TMA). Con esa conexión de servicio principal, se explica que la IM puede aumentar el sentido de importancia de un cliente para elegir, cumplir y continuar con el uso de MAT. Esta revisión fue más allá para informar de que la IM se ha calificado de "herramienta eficaz" para su uso en plazos cortos y destaca por crear "oportunidades potentes" en los primeros contactos. El término "minutos máximos" se acuña en esta revisión para hablar de cómo el uso del IM puede ayudar a los primeros encuentros con los clientes que se producen dentro de marcos temporales comprimidos. 

Palabras clave: Deflexión, deflexión de la justicia penal, entrevista motivacional, crisis de opioides,  deflexión previa a la detención, aplicación de la ley, equidad racial, justicia penal, ODS 1, ODS 3, ODS 5, ODS 10, ODS 16, ODS.

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Additional details

Additional titles

Translated title (Spanish)
Encuentros de Deflexión: Entrevista Motivacional y Minutas Detalladas

Identifiers

ISSN
2752-1400
URN
urn:nbn:de:101:1-2504222227506.708170550835

Dates

Submitted
2024-12
Accepted
2025-01
Issued
2025-04

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