The Kentucky State Police Angel Initiative — a proactive program designed to help people battle addiction — has reopened. The program is completely voluntary and individuals will not be arrested or charged with any violations if they agree to participate in treatment.
The initiative was put on pause in April while the agency developed safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Danielle Perkins, KSP Angel Initiative Program Administrator, said if an individual comes to a KSP post for assistance, they can safely dispose of the drugs or contraband they may have in their possession, without threat of arrest.
“The Angel Initiative’s mission is to help addicts when they need it the most and fortunately, we can once again welcome those seeking help to our posts,” Perkins said.
Since the program began in 2016, the Angel Initiative has facilitated the placement of 198 individuals who asked for help in treatment. The agency is currently developing a special portal through their mobile app that will link those seeking help to treatment centers, without having physical contact.
According to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy 2019 annual report, drug addiction claimed the lives of 1,316 Kentuckians. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, was involved in 759 cases — approximately 58 percent of all overdose deaths for the year.
Any individuals seeking help at a KSP post must adhere to the following ‘Healthy at Work’ safety guidelines. The posts are open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Angel Initiative COVID-19 Guidelines:
- Gloves and masks must be worn by both the angel coordinator (trooper) and the participant seeking assistance at all times while inside the post.
- Participants must have their temperature taken and complete a COVID-19 questionnaire prior to entering the post.
- Participants must enter the building alone. Accompanying support systems must remain outside or in their vehicle.
- If an individual seeking help has been exposed to COVID-19, KSP asks that they call their local post prior to arriving on site. The Angel Initiative program will not turn the individual away, but do their best to find resources that meet their current situation.
