Vol. 7 No. 2-8 (2025): Special Issue on Deflection: A New Horizon for Police, Public Health, and Community

The Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Human Rights & Science (JMSHRS), published by the Knowmad Institut in collaboration with the Police, Treatment, and Community Collaborative (PTACC), and aligned with the principles of the Rome Consensus 2.0, proudly presents this Special Issue: Deflection: A New Horizon for Police, Public Health, and Community.

This issue explores Deflection as an innovative, evidence-based model that redefines the intersection of public health, public safety, and justice reform. Across seven peer-reviewed articles, the volume presents a multidimensional view of Deflection as a strategic, pre-arrest intervention that diverts individuals with substance use disorders, mental health needs, or social vulnerabilities away from the criminal legal system and into community-based care.

The contributions highlight practical implementations—from Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and Veterans Health Administration programs to Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed strategies—and analyze the structural, philosophical, and ethical dimensions that underpin Deflection. Key insights include new indicators to evaluate recovery outcomes, strategies for improving law enforcement responses to opioid overdoses, and the importance of culturally responsive, community-driven frameworks.

Grounded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 5, 10, 16), this Special Issue enriches the global conversation on public health-centered justice, elevating Deflection as a transformative practice that fosters resilience, dignity, and social equity. Collectively, these articles expand the global evidence base and invite researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to rethink how societies address substance use, mental health, and public safety through interdisciplinary collaboration and compassion.

Published: 2025-04-22