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As officers continue to see firsthand, the impact of addiction, the department introduced the Monroe Police Law Enforcement Assisted Drug Abuse Support (L.E.A.D.S.) to safely and swiftly help addicts shake their habits.
According to the department, “those suffering from addiction feel hopeless and powerless to escape its grasp. We have seen the pain and suffering, lives ruined or ended too soon and we have seen families torn apart over it.
“Our goal is to reduce the impact of substance abuse by encouraging those who suffer from addiction to seek treatment and recovery to promote a healthier and safer community.”
L.E.A.D.S. is a program for residents who are hopeful of overcoming their addictions, allowing addicts to enter the police station, hand over any drugs and paraphernalia without consequence and ask for help. Instead of being arrested, police will assist in obtaining treatment, detox, rehab and recovery.
Police noted that they will continue to pursue the arrest and conviction of those selling narcotics in the community.
“Drug addiction is a disease, and those suffering need help. We at the Monroe Police Department believe that there is hope for recovery from addiction and we are here to help, not judge. The stigma associated with substance abuse and opiate addiction is over.”
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