Police take stand to help drug addicts instead of arresting them in Louisiana

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"We believe it is time to change the way we do business," Lentz said. "We think we should give those suffering from addiction the help they need instead of handcuffs."

Vowing to begin treating drug addiction as a disease instead of a crime, St. Tammany Parish law enforcement leaders on Monday (May 2) unveiled their own version of a rapidly growing program that lets addicts seek help from police and turn in their drugs without fear of arrest. Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz and a host of law enforcement and government officials held a news conference on the steps of the courthouse to announce "Operation Angel."

Developed about a year ago by the Police Department in Gloucester, Mass., the program is now being used by more than 100 law enforcement agencies in 23 states, Lentz said. The agencies in St. Tammany are the first in Louisiana to participate.

Lentz said the program is designed to help people with addictions ranging from cocaine to alcohol get help. Historically, law enforcement has addressed the problem of drug addiction by simply placing the addict in jail, feeding a stigma that keeps users from seeking help.

Continue to Full Story at The Times-Picayune

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