Ramapo police join ‘Hope Not Handcuffs’ initiative to fight opioid epidemic

The Ramapo Police Department announced Friday that its doors will be open to help anyone who's addicted, no questions asked.

News 12 Staff

Feb 28, 2020, 7:49 PM

Updated 1,610 days ago

Share:

Another police department in Rockland County is teaming up with "Hope Not Handcuffs" to fight the opioid epidemic.
The Ramapo Police Department announced Friday that its doors will be open to help anyone who's addicted, no questions asked.
"This is going to help our community across the board. There's no one that this isn't going to impact positively," said Sgt. Chris Youngman.
Those seeking assistance can come into their station, no questions asked, and a volunteer "angel" from the group, will meet with them to provide comfort, goods and inform them about their treatment options.
"We want to be that compassionate hand, that treats them with respect and helps them navigate the system and find the resources they deserve to be able to have," says Cathy Kennedy of "Hope Not Handcuffs" Hudson Valley.
Youngman initiated the partnership after seeing firsthand the negative impact of opioids and drug use.
"Feeling helpless, especially in my role, when I feel like I can help anyone, feeling like it wasn't enough what I was doing, given the opportunity to do something different that can really help, why wouldn't I take that and run with it?" Youngman says.
Ramapo joins several police departments throughout the Hudson Valley, including Orangetown and Clarkstown to team up with "Hope Not Handcuffs," an effort the group says has already helped a dozen people in the county.
"We just want to get the word out there that we're nonjudgmental. The police departments are supporting the program and that we’re here to help," Kennedy says.
"Hope Not Handcuffs" says they have more than 100 volunteers currently in Rockland but there's always room for more angels.
 


More from News 12
1:52
Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

2:04
Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:38
Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

0:49
New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

0:49
Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

0:32
Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

0:17
Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued