Pontiac Safe Passage program going strong

Posted on February 19, 2018
A Pontiac Police Department program aims to assist people struggling with opioid addiction. (Photo courtesy Pontiac Police)

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ

PONTIAC – The Safe Passage program, which has been implemented in all police departments in Livingston County for more than a year is showing success assisting people in finding help to recovering from opioid drugs.

Pontiac Police Chief Jim Woolford said as of now, his department has sent 24 people through to treatment.

“As with most drug addiction programs, most leave or relapse and we knew that going into the program that that was the potential, so there’s no limit to how many times people can go through. We like for them to at least wait 30 days until they’re serious about trying. But, we have had a couple phenomenal successes,” Woolford explained.

Woolford said he looks forward to seeing what he and his department will do in the new year with a full staff of 18 officers.

Cynthia Grau can be reached at [email protected].

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