Plymouth County Outreach

Plymouth County Outreach (PCO)

Plymouth County Outreach is a multi-faceted collaboration of the 27 municipal police departments in Plymouth County, as well as the Bridgewater State University Police Department, working together to make treatment more accessible for individuals living with substance use disorder and their families.

In 2015 Police in Plymouth County noticed a surge in fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Overdoses had doubled between 2014 and 2015. Departments recognized that they needed to do something different to offer help and support to those struggling. In December of 2016, all of the 27 county police departments, as well as the Bridgewater State University Police Department, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office, and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office came together to form Plymouth County Outreach.

PCO introduces individuals to different points of access to treatment, while offering caring, compassionate support for those suffering, but also support to their family members and loves ones. Each department commits to assign Outreach Officers, who will respond, usually within 12-72 hours to the residence of the overdose victim in plainclothes and an unmarked cruiser, alongside a PCO Recovery Coach, licensed clinician, and/or social worker. Each department also assigns data designees to work to keep the Critical Incident Management System updated.