UPDATE: (05/31/17) - Beginning Thursday, an addict looking for help can come to one of 11 local police stations in Genesee and Lapeer Counties and ask the officers for an "angel."

The trained volunteer will arrive to evaluate their addiction and help get the addict into the proper treatment.

It's a proactive approach police expect will change lives and make the community safer.

"The war on drugs is lost and it's been lost for a long time and this is a great initiative, it's a new approach for us and we'll find a way to make it work," said Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell.

Police finished training and gathered their angel kits Wednesday, ready for Thursday's launch of Hope Not Handcuffs.

Instead of being arrested, addicts will be given an angel, like Nichole Burt, to guide them to treatment.

"I think it's important that people know that people care and that people can relate and that they don't, they're not any less of a human just because they're struggling with addiction," Burt explained.

She's been clean for two years now and knows this program would've helped her recover sooner.

Burt explained, "There's still a lot of stigma out there, and especially with law enforcement and stuff, people are scared. I think this is going to bring everyone together, especially in the community. They need to know that we're here to help them, not judge them."

As the epidemic continues to hit more and more families, Sheriff Pickell wants to be a part of the solution.

He explained, "Addiction is a disease and it needs to be treated and you can't treat it by putting someone in jail."

Which has become the answer. Because the Sheriff says, the vicious cycle turns criminal quickly, as some addicts turn to sell to support their habit.

"I'm housing inmates outside of Genesee County in other jails. I've got 78 people on tether today," Sheriff Pickell said. "There's no room at the inn! So let's try something different, let's take these people and put them into a treatment program with professionals trying to help them."

Offering hope, rather than the fear of handcuffs ...

"Maybe it won't work all the time, but if we can save just one I think that would be a great advance, I think we would all agree," he added.

If addicts have any warrants, each department will have their own policy on how or if they'll be prosecuted.

For more information about the program or to help out and become a volunteer, click the link in the ‘Related Links’ section of this story.

-------

(05/31/17) - Eleven local police departments have agreed to serve as a safe haven, a critical piece to the "Hope Not Handcuffs" program.

An addict who is ready for help can show up ask for an "angel.' The police officer will call for them, they'll arrive within a half hour, evaluate the addict's situation and get the person into the proper treatment.

"What we're doing by arresting people, locking them down, isn't working, so let's - we owe it to everybody to try this," said Lapeer County Sheriff Scott McKenna.

He was quick to want to be a part of Hope Not Handcuffs.

The Sheriff joined several other area agencies Wednesday to announce their involvement. He tells ABC12 News about 95 percent of the people he speaks to across the county bring up the community's drug problem, especially as opioid addiction has hit a larger population, including athletes who may just be recovering from surgery.

The Sheriff says his jail can no longer serve as rehab, something has to be done.

Now, he admits he and his deputies are a little skeptical, as their role reverses, but they're willing to try offering hope, rather than the fear of an arrest.

"Ultimately, if you do this whole thing and you save one life, it's worth it,” McKenna said.

The program was started by the Families Against Narcotics chapter in Macomb County in February. Since then, 216 addicts have already been put into treatment.

For more information about the program or to help out and become a volunteer, click the link in the ‘Related Links’ section of this story.

The law enforcement agencies who have signed on include:

Genesee County Sheriff's Office

Argentine Township Police Department

City of Flint Police Department

City of Flushing Police Department

Grand Blanc Township Police Department

Almont Village Police Department

Imlay City Police Department

Lapeer County Sheriff's Office

Holly Village Police Department