LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Update: Blueprints for Addiction Recovery tested its 'Gateway Initiative' over the weekend.
CEO and Founder Chris Dreisbach says counselors provided assistance on 7 police calls. 4 of those calls he says dealt solely with mental health issues. That includes depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The other 3 dealt with mental health issues and substance use disorder.
"There was an individual potentially looking to jump off a bridge, and we were able to respond with West Lampeter Township Police and get that person the help that he needed. That call in particular inspired us because the ability to impact somebody's life through this is huge," said Dreisbach.
The test run ended Monday morning. However, Dreisbach says Blueprints workers will continue to provide mental health support when called upon. He is looking for a permanent funding source to keep the program going into the future.
Starting tomorrow night, counselors will be assisting police officers on some calls in Lancaster County. More than a dozen police departments have opted into a test program with Blueprints for Addiction Recovery.
"As police officers, we're wired to want to help people," said Chief Brian Wiczkowski, West Lampeter Township Police Department.
However, Chief Wiczkowski says officers can't always provide the best help during situations that involve mental illness. They don't have the capability or extensive training to screen people for mental health disorders, refer patients, or actually provide treatment. The professionals do.
"We just deal with the same issue, many times, the same person, again, and again, and again, and again, the concern is that it's going to turn into a tragic encounter that no one wants, but that's not the only concern," explained the chief. "We're just not able to get the ball over the goal line."
The chief hopes that will soon change. Starting this weekend, 13 participating Lancaster County police departments will have someone to call. Counselors with Blueprints for Addiction Recovery will be available 24-7 to respond to police emergencies that deal with mental health.
Blueprints already has the infrastructure in place to do so with its Second Chance PA Initiative. When called upon, addiction recovery specialists assist police on calls involving drugs and alcohol.
The weekend will serve as a test run of what CEO and Founder Chris Dreisbach hopes will become a permanent asset for the county.
"It's something that has been near and dear to my heart for a long time, and mental health response has been something severely lacking, not just within law enforcement but with the whole system itself," explained Dreisbach.
Dreisbach is currently footing the bill in hopes the program does take off.
"There is help for every human in Lancaster County -- whether you have insurance or do not have health insurance, whether you're poor or wealthy, whether you're Caucasian or African American," said Dreisbach.
The City of Lancaster has also taken steps to help its police force. City officials hired two social workers who, when needed, leave the station to assist officers. They also work with people who walk into the police station who have issues that are more geared towards social service than criminal justice.