Redefining Drug “Crime” as Addiction: City of Brockton (Massachusetts) and the Brockton Police Department’s Public Health Approach to Reducing Opiate Overdoses

• In Event: Reexamining the Crime and Drug Nexus

Abstract

Like many states, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has experienced a surge in both fatal and nonfatal opiate overdoses over the last decade. As first responders responsible for dealing with both the personal and community consequences of addiction, substantial pressure has been placed on police organizations to ‘do something’ about this crisis. The City of Brockton’s Mayor’s Office in collaboration with the Brockton Police Department implemented the ‘Champion Plan’ in 2015 as a way of facilitating access to treatment for those suffering from addiction. This research will provide an overview of the Champion Plan as well as an analysis of preliminary outcomes associated with the effort.

Authors

• Pamela Kelley, Kelley Research Associates

• Sean Varano, Roger Williams University

• Nicolas Makhlouta, Roger Williams University