In New Haven, Connecticut, they’ve devised a different type of jail program for drug offenders who cycle through their jail. It is being promoted as a “healthy” approach in treating hardcore drug users: give them clean drug paraphernalia when they leave jail via taxpayer money.
New Haven is the first police department in the state to begin handing out harm reduction kits to addicts.
It’s a different approach in helping drug addicts get treatment they need.
The kits that New Haven will be handing out will not only contain clean equipment that addicts typically use, but plenty of information to let people know help is available.
The plastic bags are filled with items those struggling with drug addiction use on a daily basis.
“There’s clean needles, sterile water, some burner, cotton, Brillo for filters, there’s a tourniquet,” said Robert Lawlor.
Starting on Thursday, whenever someone gets arrested and is incarcerated in New Haven, they’ll now have an opportunity to leave the city’s detention facility with a harm reduction kit.
“Harm reduction meets people where they’re at in a non-judgmental, compassionate way,” said Joanne Montgomery.
Police say arrests won’t curb this epidemic and the idea is this alternative works hand in hand with traditional treatment.
Source: WFSB
