(BOSTON) AUG 16 – IN THE WAR ON DRUGS ONE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN MASSACHUSETTS IS STANDING WITH THE ANGELS – LITERALLY — CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS WHO IN GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS SHEPHERD OPIATE ADDICTS TO TREATMENT INSTEAD OF JAIL.
FOX NEWS RADIO’S BILL MARCUS HAS MORE.
(SCRIPT)
OPIATE ADDICTS WHO TURN THEM SELVES IN TO GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS POLICE DON’T GET CHARGED – THEY GET A VOLUNTEER ANGEL TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE INTAKE PROCESS.
CAMPANELLO – IT’S THE VETERAN WHO RETURNS FROM MILITARY SERVICE AND IS PRESCRIBED AN OPIATE FOR AN INJURY….THE WOMAN WHO HAS SURGERY AND HAS A JOB. :09
GLOUCESTER POLICE CHIEF LEONARD CAMPANELLO SAYING TEN ADDICTS A WEEK TURN THEMSELVES IN – IT USED TO BE SEVEN A DAY.
CAMPANELLO – WE FOUND THAT A PERSON WHO IS GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWAL IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO STAY AND GET THE HELP IF THEY HAVE A SUPPORT SYSTEM OF EVEN ONE PERSON. :09
ARRESTS AND INCARCERATION, HE SAYS, JUST COMPOUND THE PROBLEM.
IN BOSTON, BILL MARCUS, FOX NEWS RADIO
ANCHOR TAG: CAPANELLO SAYING THAT SINCE IT STARTED IN JUNE THE PROGRAM HAS HELPED MORE THAN 106 ADDICTS AT A COST OF LESS THAN FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE MONEY COMING OUT OF THE POT OF CASH GLOUCESTER GETS FROM DRUG BUSTS. NO EXPENSE TO THE CITY OR ITS TAXPAYERS. THE PROGRAM WHICH HAS PARTNERED WITH 40 TREATMENT CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTY ALSO GAINING ATTENTION FROM LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON.
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GLOUCESTER POLICE CHIEF LEONARD CAMPANELLO – WHETHER OR NOT THEY TURN IN ANY DRUGS WE REFUSE TO ARREST THEM
GLOUCESTER POLICE CHIEF LEONARD CAMPANELLO SPEAKING ABOUT HIS ANGEL PROGRAM – WE PAIR THEM WITH AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THE COMMUNITY WHOSE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY IS TO SIT WITH THEM WHILE THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS.