The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)/Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is requesting applications for communities interested in implementing an open-air drug market intervention (DMI), also known as the High Point Model. Selected locations will receive three training sessions, as well as technical assistance and ongoing support on ways to adapt the model to a communities' unique local context. DMI addresses the challenge of effectively responding to illegal drug markets and their associated crime, violence and disorder that have proven challenging for communities and law enforcement for decades. The strategy targets individual geographic drug markets using a focused deterrence strategy, specifically dealing with drug dealers in specific areas.

Jacksonville applied (Sept 2010) and was chosen (December 3) to participate.

Informaton: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy, supports training and technical assistance for local teams interested in implementing an open-air drug market intervention (DMI) initiative that is commonly referred to as the High Point model. DMI addresses the challenge of effectively responding to illegal drug markets and their associated crime, violence, and disorder that has proven challenging for communities and law enforcement for decades.

DMI is a strategic problem-solving initiative aimed at permanently closing down open-air drug markets. The strategy targets individual drug markets using focused deterrence with transformational elements. The most violent offenders are targeted and prosecuted as examples. The strategy then targets low-level offenders and stages an intervention with families and community leaders. Law enforcement mobilizes community residents, leaders, and family members of low-level drug dealers to voice their intolerance for this criminal behavior and to create opportunity and support for the offenders. Offenders are given the option to straighten up or face lengthy prison sentences and are provided assistance in locating

employment, housing, transportation, health care, and access to other social services. In High Point, NC, the strategy involved few arrests, mostly employed problem-solving approaches, and has resulted in a complete transformation of the targeted areas. The results were immediate and have been sustained for over four years. High Point's most troubled neighborhoods have seen dramatically improved conditions and reduced drug and violent crime citywide. Most importantly, these changes happened in a way that addressed and repaired deep historic racial divisions in the community. The neighborhoods themselves have now taken responsibility for safety in the community.

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