McCracken County announces new program to battle addiction

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY. (KFVS) - McCracken County announces a new program forming in McCracken County and surrounding areas, called “Badges of Hope.”

“Badges Of Hope” is a newly formed operation that brings law enforcement and rehab facilities together provide hope for those battling addiction.

Effective immediately, any McCracken citizen who needs help battling addiction can call the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office at 270 444 4719.

A deputy sheriff will provide free transportation and get them started with the program.

The program does not to negate incarceration of the wanted, or those found in possession or trafficking drugs. This is a way for anyone suffering and battling addiction to gain assistance before it is too late.

The McCracken County Sheriffs Office stated, “Often times getting into the back of a patrol car has been viewed by many as the end. With “Badges Of Hope” we want this to be viewed as the beginning. “Badges Of Hope” is not a signal of weakness nor are we getting light on crime, instead it is among the first ever publicized means by our agency to offer hope and rehab to those battling addiction before it is too late and or before they are faced with criminal charges.”

Badges of Hope is hosting an open house for one of the newest drug rehab facilities in Paducah, Kentucky Addiction Centers, located at 148 Stuart Nelson Drive at 11:00 on Friday November 8, 2019. The community is welcome to join.

Other counties and sheriff’s agreeing to implement “Badges Of Hope” in their own respected jurisdictions include:

Ballard County Sheriff Ronnie Giles, Marshall County Sheriff Eddie McGuire, Livingston County Sheriff Bobby Davidson, Calloway County Sheriff Sam Steger, Fulton County Sheriff Derek Goodson, Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden, Carlisle County Sheriff Will Gilbert, Hickman County Sheriff Ben Natividad, Lyon County Sheriff Brent White, Trigg County Sheriff Jason Barnes, and the Paducah Police Department.

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