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PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The City of Philadelphia is launching a new program in the Kensington neighborhood on Wednesday, with the goal of sending those with drug addictions to treatment rather than jail.
Mayor Cherelle Parker signed an executive order introducing what she calls “Wellness Court.”
The Kensington Wellness Court, which is a first of its kind in Philadelphia, offers an alternative to jail time for those struggling with substance abuse. It’s part of the city’s effort to address the ongoing challenges in Kensington.
Parker says her action is just one small step toward the larger goal of ending the humanitarian crisis in the Philadelphia neighborhood.
“We committed that we would end this opioid-driven humanitarian crisis once and for all,” Parker said during a news conference.
The mayor signed an executive order that gives the police department the option to make a summary arrest instead of a misdemeanor arrest for certain drug offenses.
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