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May 12, 2015

Massachusetts City to Stop Arresting Drug Addicts, Provide Aid Instead 
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The chief of police in Gloucester, Massachusetts is traveling to
Washington, D.C. today to meet with lawmakers and tout the city's new
approach to handling drug addicts. In a Facebook post that's received 2
million views, Police Chief Leonard Campanello announced earlier this
month Gloucester police will no longer criminally charge drug addicts
who seek help, instead guiding them immediately toward detox and
recovery. The police department has also reached a deal with a local
pharmacy to cover the cost of the life-saving overdose antidote Narcan
for the uninsured, using money seized from drug dealers. Campanello
discussed the plans with local news station WCVB.

Leonard Campanello: "We wanted the police department to be one of the
safe havens where you could walk in when you are ready and we don't want
to waste that moment when the addict is ready. We are done with an
addict bring criminally charged for the offense of addiction. We are
going to take that extra step and make sure they get the treatment that
they need."

 

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