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Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative

Image Credit: one photo/Shutterstock.com
Image Credit: one photo/Shutterstock.com

As opiod abuse continues to kill, we often hear this phrase from law enforcement: "We can't arrest our way out this crisis." One alternative, the brainchild of a Massachusettes police chief: Help, not handcuffs. The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative encourages addicts to turn over their drugs and praphernalia and instead of facing arrest, they get treatment. A hundred departments nationwide have signed on.

Nicole Walmsley, Ohio state representative for P.A.A.R.I
Chief Matt Vanyo, Olmsted Township Police Department 

Chief Joe Grecol, Berea Police Department
Sgt. Patrick  Greenhill, Supervisor, Community Engagement Unit, Berea Police Department 
Andrew Nichol, Criminal Division Chief, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office  

Resources:

P.A.A.R.I. website