Program to help steer addicts away from jail cell
A first-of-its-kind pilot program will look to steer low-level, nonviolent drug offenders into treatment, rather than behind bars.
“We are trying to save lives,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said yesterday when the program, called “Road to Recovery,” was unveiled at the Devine Recovery Center in South Boston.
“Every day in Boston someone is dying from a heroin overdose,” the DA said. “They are dying in Chelsea and Revere and Winthrop as well, every single day. What we are trying to do is get them on the road to recovery so they don’t overdose and don’t die.”
The program will debut in Dorchester District Court after the new year and will allow people found in possession of any drug to be summonsed to court the day after they are stopped by police.
“They’ll meet with Suffolk prosecutors who will offer comprehensive recovery services, from detox to counseling,” Conley said. “If a person accepts the offer and completes the three- to six-month program successfully, then the criminal charge will never issue.”
The treatment program will be run through the South Boston-based nonprofit recovery agency, the Gavin Foundation. Individual insurance will cover more than 90 percent of those seeking treatment, said Gavin Foundation Executive Director John McGahan, adding that grant money will be used to cover remaining expenses.
“The participant can focus on getting clean and staying sober, instead of fighting the case or paying fines and fees,” the DA said. “It won’t matter if it’s your first, second or fifth straight possession offense — if you want to get clean, we want to help.”
Boston police Commissioner William B. Evans noted the law enforcement fight against the opioid scourge has been an “uphill battle” and welcomed new ideas.
“Putting them in a jail cell isn’t going to cure it, they are just going to come out and go back to that lifestyle,” Evans said “We have to try innovative ways because what we are doing right now isn’t working, so hopefully we can get people the care they need.”