Day 6

The police chief who wants to stop arresting addicts

Gloucester Massachusetts police chief Leonard Campanello has taken a radical approach to change how police deal with addicts. Starting June 1, any addict who walks into the police station with drugs won't be arrested or charged. Instead, they'll be offered detox services on the spot.
Gloucester Police Chief (Gloucester Police Department)

In the wake of four overdose deaths in the city this year, Gloucester Massachusetts police chief Leonard Campanello has taken a radical approach to curb opiate drug use. Starting June 1, any addict who walks into the police station with drugs won't be arrested or charged. Instead, they'll be offered detox services on the spot. He tells us why he thinks this is the right approach, and how he's pressuring the federal government to get on board with it.