Terry Weber writes on Wicked Local-
Gloucester’s Angel program helps 260 in four months
Since June 1, an estimated 260 drug addicts have been assisted, not arrested, by the Gloucester Police Department’s Angel Program.
The program is designed to combat the opioid-heroin epidemic by shepherding drug addicts to treatment, not jail time, provided they turn themselves in voluntarily and meet a few other requirements. Requirements include that the addict not have any outstanding warrants and must be over 18.
The creation of Gloucester’s Angel program marks a major shift in thinking and practice by the police department, whose traditional task is to enforce the law. The program has received national attention, even a mention by presidential candidate Hillary Clinton that more programs should be developed like the one in Gloucester.
“We are working on growing the program nationwide,” said Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello, who is the driving force behind the program’s creation.
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Good Morning Gloucester 