Salem, Ore. – The Salem Police Department’s newly formed Drug Response Team is already showing results. In just over a month of operation, the unit has increased arrests for on‑street drug sales while also reaching out to individuals who use substances, offering connections to counseling and recovery services.
Enforcement and education combined
Interim Police Chief Brandon Ditto explained that the team’s dual focus is intentional. “We are here to root out dealers who prey on our most vulnerable and unhoused residents, but we also want to provide a pathway to help for those caught in addiction,” Ditto said at a recent press briefing.
The team, composed of seasoned detectives, uniformed officers, and a dedicated outreach specialist, conducts targeted patrols in neighborhoods where drug activity has been reported. Officers make arrests when they encounter illegal sales, and then the outreach specialist approaches the arrested individuals to discuss treatment options, harm‑reduction resources, and community support programs.
Early numbers indicate progress
According to preliminary data released by the department, the Drug Response Team has made 27 arrests for drug dealing since its launch, compared with 12 arrests during the same period last year when the effort was handled by a standard patrol unit. The increase represents more than a two‑fold rise in enforcement activity.
In addition to arrests, the team has initiated 19 referrals to local treatment providers, including the Salem Recovery Center and the nonprofit organization Hope House. While it is too early to measure long‑term outcomes, department officials say the referrals are a critical first step toward breaking the cycle of addiction and crime.
Community response
Local faith‑based groups and neighborhood associations have voiced support for the initiative. Pastor Michael Greene of Salem Community Church praised the department’s “balanced approach that protects families while extending a hand of compassion to those in need.” Residents who have witnessed the increase in police presence report feeling safer on their streets.
Critics, however, caution that arrests alone will not solve the underlying issues of poverty and homelessness that fuel drug markets. The Salem Homeless Coalition’s director, Lisa Ramirez, urged the city to pair the team’s work with expanded affordable housing and job‑training programs.
Looking ahead
Chief Ditto emphasized that the Drug Response Team will continue to refine its tactics based on data and community feedback. “Our goal is not just to make arrests, but to create a sustainable environment where illegal drug sales are no longer viable and individuals have real alternatives,” he said.
The department plans to publish a quarterly report detailing arrest statistics, referral outcomes, and any adjustments to the team’s strategy. City Council members are scheduled to discuss additional funding for the program at the next public safety hearing.
As Salem works to protect its neighborhoods and support its most vulnerable citizens, the Drug Response Team stands as a concrete example of how law‑enforcement and community resources can collaborate for a safer, healthier city.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
