Newton Police Chief Michael Richards and Becky Carlson, Executive Director of the Center for Prevention and Counseling, were invited to Washington D.C. on Wednesday July 6, 2016 for a special meeting with Michael Botticelli, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and other senior White House officials. As partners of the Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative (PAARI), Richards and Carlson joined other law enforcement leaders from across the country 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 the Sussex County Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) Program.
Carlson noted that, “Having Sussex County’s voice be heard was vital as Chief Richards and I joined law enforcement from around the country to address the opioid crisis that our county and the nation is dealing with on a daily basis. Too many lives are being lost and too many families are being destroyed. The ideas discussed and shared will be instrumental in making change and assisting individuals in getting the treatment they so desperately need. I am extremely proud and excited about Sussex County’s C.L.E.A.R. initiative and the hope it offers to people in our county.”
The C.L.E.A.R. Program will offer assistance to people with substance use disorders by providing a safe place to voluntarily turn in illegal substances and paraphernalia and connecting individuals and family members to certified volunteer recovery coaches. Walk-in hours for screening for participation in the program will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Newton Police Department, located at 39 Trinity St, starting Monday July 18th.
“The Sussex County CLEAR program is a natural result of caring community leaders who have been searching for a more effective way to deal with the many negative effects that substance use disorders cause to individuals, families and our communities. Similar organizations are being formed across the United States and are experiencing great success. The synergy of community organizations, trained/experienced recovery coaches and law enforcement Officers working together has created a unique opportunity to make a significant positive impact in our County residents’ quality of life. My participation in the CLEAR program has been one of the most meaningful and gratifying experiences in my career. I look forward to its launch as we’re anxious to begin helping people, saving lives and truly making a difference,” Richards said.