The Sussex County Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.)
The Sussex County Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) Program officially started on Monday, July 18, 2016. This new program offers assistance to individuals and families with substance use disorders by connecting them with certified recovery coaches and providing a safe place to voluntarily turn in illegal substances and paraphernalia. C.L.E.A.R. is modeled after The Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative (PAARI), developed by Police Chief Leonard Campanello of Gloucester, MA. Becky Carlson, Executive Director of The Center, and Newton Police Chief Michael Richards joined Chief Campanello and other law enforcement leaders from across the country in Washington D.C. on Wednesday July 6 for a special meeting with Michael Botticelli, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and other senior White House officials. They were invited to discuss efforts to provide resources to address the opioid overdose and misuse epidemic and how financial support could be beneficial for initiatives such as ours. C.L.E.A.R. is truly an innovative program consisting of a multidisciplinary team working to reverse the negative trends caused by substance use in our community. Walk-in hours for screening for participation in the program are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Newton Police Department on Trinity Street. Since C.L.E.A.R. launched, seven people walked into Newton Police Department to ask for assistance and over 30 others have called the toll free number: 1-844-SC-CLEAR seeking help. Our first participant, who had no resources of their own to access treatment, was able to be placed within hours thanks to a partnership with a treatment facility. The participant expressed gratitude for the help they received, and we look forward to continuing in contributing to the success of this much need community program.
To learn more visit www.Clearprogram.org