The Madison Police Department has announced its participation in National Deflection Week, focusing on aiding individuals with substance use disorders. The department’s initiative, the Madison Area Recovery Initiative (MARI), aims to divert people from the criminal justice system through pre-arrest diversion and community outreach.
Police Captain Diane Nachtigal, who oversees MARI, stated, “We are here to help. We believe we cannot arrest our way out of this opioid epidemic.” The MARI Resource Team provides Naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, at no cost to those struggling with addiction. They also offer fentanyl and xylazine test strips for free.
The team conducts weekly outreach across various city locations. Some of these include the Dane County Job Center, Luke House, and several public libraries and shelters. For more details about MARI, individuals can contact 608-416-9478 or email MARI@cityofmadison.com. Additional information is available on the Madison Police Department’s website.
