The City of Warren is implementing a new campaign to curb opioid use and sales.
"Heroin is an epidemic sweeping the country, it's now the number one leading cause of accidental death, and that is certainly true in Warren,” said Warren Mayor, Jim Fouts.
The new program is called PAID or People Against Illegal Drugs. A tip that leads to search or an arrest will get a resident paid.
"We're going to pay for information that leads to a search warrant or an arrest of people dealing illegal drugs,” said Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer.
The city will pay up to $500 for tips using drug forfeiture money. Tipsters can remain anonymous. The number (586) 574-GUTS.
"We're sending a loud message out to drug dealers, we're not going to tolerate drug houses in our neighborhoods any longer in Warren,” said Dwyer.
According to the mayor, there has been a significant increase in opioid overdoses in the last several years. In 2015, there were 8 overdoses. In 2016, there were 32 and this year, there have already been more than that.
"No one wants to be a heroin addict, no one wants to be a crack addict. We know it's a disease, that's why we need rehabilitation, we need education, but we still have to focus on the strong enforcement,” said Dwyer.
The number for PAID is (586) 574-GUTS.
