Addiction to pain medication and opioid abuse has become a public health crisis here in Erie County. In response local officials and health professionals are trying to develop new strategies on how to attack the problem.
The newly formed opioid epidemic task force has unveiled a new program called the Rapid Evaluation Appropriate Placement Initiative or (REAP). The REAP program gives addicts a streamlined path towards treatment and rehabilitation. Here is how the program works. If an addict comes to the police and asks for help they will not be arrested. Instead they will be paired with a volunteer "angel" who will help guide them through the process and find the appropriate treatment.
The task force is now "calling for angels", asking the public for volunteers to become "angels" to combat the growing addiction issue. If you are interested in finding out more information you can go to www.erie.gov/health
