Project C.A.R.E.

Project C.A.R.E. (Community Approach to Recovery and Engagement) began in 2017, by gathering several organizations within our community to discuss how we can help each other better respond to the opioid epidemic. These organizations include HCRS, Turning Point Recovery Center, the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition, and the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Community Health Team, among others.

Lieutenant Adam Petlock speaks to staff about the Outreach Program.

Brattleboro PD's mission statement emphasizes that we recognize there are people struggling with substance abuse who need our help, but we will continue our enforcement efforts to hold accountable those who choose to victimize others with the sale of dangerous drugs.

The Outreach Team will perform follow-up visits with victims of non-fatal overdoses. Members of the community will be able to request assistance without fear of prosecution and be connected with various resources to determine the appropriate course of treatment.

In November of 2017, we formed a partnership with P.A.A.R.I. (Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative), sending two police officers and two mental health workers to a multi-day training in Boston. P.A.A.R.I. aims to remove barriers for entry into treatment and recovery programs while reducing the stigma and shame associated with addiction. We hope this initiative will help reduce the impact of opiate use on our community.