Gloucester Police Chief To Be Honored At White House As 'Champion Of Change'

BOSTON (CBS) – Gloucester's police chief will be honored at the White House next week as a "Champion of Change."

Chief Leonard Campanello is one of ten people who will be recognized April 29 for their roles in "advancing prevention, treatment and recovery" in the opioid crisis. More than 900 people across the country were nominated.

In May 2015, Campanello announced his department would not arrest heroin addicts if they bring their drugs to the police station and request help. His Facebook post got more than two million views.

"In the 10 months since it began, the Gloucester Program has brought 425 people directly to treatment with no criminal penalty and no solicitation of information, and has reduced crime and costs associated with addiction in Gloucester and rebuilt trust between the police and the community," the White House said in a statement Friday.

The Gloucester Angel program has been expanded to more than 100 communities in 22 states in the last year.

"Chief Campanello's compassionate leadership has helped thousands in Massachusetts' North Shore," White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett said in a statement. "His work is a model for our police stations and neighborhoods. We look forward to honoring Leonard as a Champion of Change."