By Police1 Staff
MASON, W.Va. — A West Virginia police department wants those who overdose to be cited, with the hope that it will help addicts on a path to recovery.
The Mason County police chief told WCHS that he plans to take the proposal to town council Thursday. The ordinance would allow the police department the authority to cite those who overdose on drugs.
“We are going to overdoses, and we understand you have a medical emergency. We will be there to help you, but there are no repercussions. You get Narcan. You get back up. You tell us to leave and that is what we have to do,’ Sgt. Colton McKinney said.
While details are still being worked out, penalties would include community service, jail time or both.
“We want to say, ‘Hey, this is no longer OK. This is no longer the standard.’ That is what we are trying to get across. This is no longer going to be accepted, but we want to help you in the same regard,” McKinney said.
https://www.facebook.com/MasonPD/posts/1005946326213728