Project C.A.R.E.

Project C.A.R.E. (Community Approach to Recovery and Engagement) is a partnership that was formed in response to the opioid crisis. The mission is to reduce the impact that substance use is having on the community and connect people living with addiction to treatment. We identify the problem, determine the barriers in place, and come up with solutions. The partnership was initiated in 2018.
 

Current Partners

• HCRS (Health Care & Rehabilitation Services)
• Turning Point of Windham County
• Groundworks Collaborative 
• Probation & Parole
• Consolidated Treatment Center (Methadone Clinic)
• Brattleboro Fire Department/EMS

Project C.A.R.E. holds monthly meetings on the last Tuesday of the month at the Brattleboro Police Department. 

The Brattleboro Police Department is a member of PAARI (Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative), which is an organization that provides support and resources to help law enforcement agencies nationwide by creating non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery. We are one of the few active members in the State of Vermont.
 

C.A.R.E. Activities/Initiatives

• Train officers in the use of Narcan and educate in the Good Samaritan Law (officers have administered Narcan to over 40 people since the inception of the program).
• Developed a protocol where we transport prisoners from BPD lockup for dosing at the Methadone Clinic
• We conduct outreach with Recovery Coaches in areas most prone to overdose. We conduct in-person follow-up with Recovery Coaches with overdose victims.
• BPD Officers are available for transport to local treatment programs (i.e. Retreat, Methadone Clinic)
• Recovery Coaches provide transport to inpatient treatment facilities. We develop relationships with inpatient treatment providers and use the influence of the police to our advantage.
• Recognize those in the community who have been successful in achieving long-term recovery
• Continue enforcement efforts; working with State and Federal agencies to enforce and prosecute those victimizing the community with the sale of drugs.