FRAMINGHAM – Chief Kenneth Ferguson is pleased to announce that the Framingham Police Department has partnered with the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) to expand the department’s addiction recovery program, Framingham Compassionate Addiction Recovery Education Services (CARES).

Modeled after the Gloucester ANGEL Initiative, Arlington Outreach Initiative, and Watertown program, Framingham CARES seeks to reduce the number and frequency of opioid overdose deaths in Framingham.

“We are glad to partner with P.A.A.R.I. as we begin to model our diversion programs around our colleagues in Gloucester, Arlington and Watertown,” Chief Ferguson said. “It’s time to adjust our focus on mental health and substance abuse as we gain more resources to fight the stigma of addiction in our community.”

Collaborating with Advocates’ Jail Diversion Program, Framingham Police have embedded a full-time clinician in their department. Upon learning of an opioid related overdose, where Narcan was administered to save the person, the clinician will initiate contact with that individual and/or their family to offer immediate access to treatment and associated resources.

“Framingham CARES is another marvelous collaboration between the Framingham Police Department and Advocates,” said Dr. Chris Gordon, Medical Director and Senior Vice President of Clinical Services for Advocates. “It combines the very best of community policing with caring mental health professionals at the exact moment that people are most in need — and possibly the most receptive to services. This sort of creative partnership is exactly what we need to deal with the opiate crisis.”

Through its partnership with P.A.A.R.I., Framingham Police will have access to a large and growing network of drug detox and long-term treatment centers around the nation, which have agreed to support P.A.A.R.I. police partners in helping those in need receive the treatment they need.

Chief Campanello and John Rosenthal, co-founders of P.A.A.R.I., are pleased to welcome the Framingham Police Department to the growing list of law enforcement partners who have committed themselves to bridging the gap between police departments and those who suffer from the disease of addiction. They commend Chief Ferguson and his staff for taking the necessary steps to help those who are suffering from addiction and for working to change the way law enforcement handles this devastating disease.

About Advocates

Advocates provides a broad range of services for people facing life challenges such as addiction, aging, autism, brain injury, intellectual disabilities, and mental health challenges.  With Advocates’ help, thousands of individuals and families living in Massachusetts are finding the supports they need to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives.

For more information about Framingham CARES, visit their Facebook page.

About P.A.A.R.I.

P.A.A.R.I. was started to support local police departments as they work with those struggling with the disease of addiction. Rather than arrest our way out of the problem of drug addiction, P.A.A.R.I. committed police departments:

• Encourage opioid drug users to seek recovery

• Help distribute life saving opioid blocking drugs to prevent and treat overdoses

• Connect people suffering with opioid addiction with treatment programs and facilities

• Provide resources to other police departments and communities that want to do more to fight the opioid addiction epidemic

P.A.A.R.I. was created by Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello and John Rosenthal to bridge the gap between police departments and those struggling with the disease of addiction. Since its founding, police departments in 24 states have joined as partners with the initiative.