Benchmark Recovery Center Joins Gloucester Initiative, Accepts Participant

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Benchmark Recovery Center Joins Gloucester Initiative, Accepts Participant

GLOUCESTER — Police Chief Leonard Campanello and Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken are happy to report Benchmark Recovery, a Texas-based substance abuse treatment facility, has partnered with the Gloucester Police Department’s ANGEL Initiative and already accepted its first participant today.

As of today, 22 people have been placed into treatment programs.

The Gloucester Initiative places those struggling with addiction into treatment centers, rather than jail cells. Under the initiative, a person suffering from the disease of addiction can come into the Gloucester Police Department and turn over their remaining drug supply and paraphernalia without the threat of arrest. The policy went into effect earlier this month in an effort to reduce the number of overdoses in Massachusetts. Click here to view the official police policy document.

“I am continuously inspired by the outpouring of support from treatment centers throughout the country who are willing to open their doors to people who are brave enough to ask for help,” Chief Campanello said. “I look forward to beginning this partnership with Benchmark Recovery and deeply appreciate their commitment to the program.”

“Each center that chooses to partner with Gloucester helps sustain this valued initiative,” Mayor Romeo Theken said. “Benchmark Recovery ensures that one more person will be able to get the needed assistance to recover.”

Given the immediate positive response from local, state and national organizations, Chief Campanello and businessman John Rosenthal launched The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) — a new nonprofit organization created in response to Gloucester’s revolutionary drug addiction program.

“Here at Benchmark Recovery, we are so excited to be a part of this important mission,” said CEO Marsha Stone. “It is an honor to partner with the ANGEL initiative to assist those through what may be one of the most difficult times of their lives.”

About Benchmark Recovery:
Benchmark Recovery Center is a nationally certified, acclaimed drug and alcohol recovery center, conveniently located in Central Texas, east of Austin, specializing in providing extended care for the treatment resistant population.

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