Safe Passages

Opiate overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Over the past several years, opiate overdose has been a major public health concern in Cuyahoga County. In recent years, Cuyahoga County suffered numerous overdoses and overdose deaths.

To help reduce the number of fatal and nonfatal overdoses in Cuyahoga County, we are changing the way we handle addicts who request help with their addiction to opiates such as morphine, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone as found in OxyContin®, Percocet® and Percodan®, and hydrocodone as found in Vicodin®. There are limited facilities in the Greater Cleveland Area to care for these individuals, and it is very difficult to gain admission to in-patient facilities. It is recognized that there is a narrow window, generally 12 – 24 hours, to help a person addicted to opiates when they decide they want help

The Euclid Police Department has partnered with Moore Counseling and Mediation Services, Inc. (MCMS) through the ADAHMS Board of Cuyahoga County (Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services) to assist these parties in connecting them with the appropriate services to assist them in getting the help they need. The goal is to connect addicts with treatment and divert them from the criminal justice system.

If you are a resident of Cuyahoga County; and you need help or you know someone (who is also a resident of Cuyahoga County) who needs help into recovery from addiction, you just need to come to the police station at 545 E. 222 St. and ask.

Anyone entering the Euclid Police Department (Monday—Friday, 8am to 4pm) and voluntarily asking for help with their addiction to opiates will be referred or placed into an appropriate treatment program. Immediate placement cannot be guaranteed.

Your safe passage to recovery is here:
· You will not be arrested
· You will not be jailed
· You will not be charged with a new crime
· You will be directed to a treatment facility

To view a video about the Safe Passages initiative, open this link: http://bit.ly/2p6Tivk

Ineligibility for the program could include those persons with outstanding warrants, prior history of drug trafficking, or being a registered sex offender. Exclusions will be handled on a case by case basis , so please call 216-731-1234 for additional details.