GLOUCESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – After passing the 50 day mark, the Gloucester Police Department’s Angel Program is responsible for getting 58 people placed in drug treatment programs.
The success is so overwhelming, Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello said, that other cities and states across the country are planning to participate.
“Success stories are starting to come in... our first intake is 48 days sober as we mentioned. A mom and dad came in together to get their son back and are clean now for 32 days, a former CPA is 7 days into treatment and calls us every day,” Campanello said.
The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative started by Campanello has partnered with 30 treatment centers across the country and is working with legislators at the state and federal level to introduce bills.
The success stories continue to roll in, sometimes in unexpected ways.
“We have even had a relapse who came straight back to us and we placed again. We understand this is difficult and once you are in this program, you're in recovery for life. No matter what happens. We will always be there when you ask for help. No judgment. No criminal charges,” Campanello said.
Campanello said as prices for narcan, the opioid reversal medicine, drop it becomes easier for police and other public agencies to deploy it and save lives.
"Our next stops are speaking with healthcare providers and insurance companies. And pharmaceuticals....you're next. We will work our way up the ladder and do our best to end this for the sake of every family going through this and every family who has lost someone to this horrible disease,” he said.
Cox Media Group
