Broome Becomes First District Attorney’s Office In Country To Initiate Program |
| BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell today announced the District Attorney’s Office has launched Operation S.A.F.E (Save Addicts From Epidemic) to send drug addicts to treatment to save lives and prevent crime. He was joined by Cooperstown Police Chief Mike Covert, who instituted the program in November.
“Our goal is to save lives by getting those addicted to drugs into treatment, and in doing so, we will clean up our streets,” Cornwell said. “If you’re in treatment, you’re not stealing from family, neighbors or businesses, or committing other crimes.” Operation S.A.F.E. is modeled after the Gloucester, Mass. Angel Program, through the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.), a nonprofit that helps law enforcement agencies adopt Gloucester’s program. Cornwell worked with Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello and P.A.A.R.I. to develop Operation S.A.F.E. “I am extremely proud to stand with District Attorney Steve Cornwell and all of Broome County as we work together to fight the demand for heroin and other drugs in our community. He is a courageous leader,” said Chief Campanello. “People are more than just addicts. They suffer from a health condition, and they need treatment and compassion, not jail and stigma. I offer Broome County my sincere thanks and congratulations on joining with P.A.A.R.I. as the first District Attorney in the nation to implement this live-saving model.” Read entire press release HERE |
