Kansas City Bringing Treatment to Those in Need

Drug addicts, alcoholics, and women in the sex trade often don’t seek help when they need it, so Kansas City police and social service workers are taking free services to them as part of a new program called Beyond the Cuffs.

Christine Vendel of the Kansas City Star writes that the Friday event featured free food and health services. Volunteers talked to people at bus stops and in abandoned houses to promote the event, said Tonya Tota, a project leader.

“There’s no excuse now to not get help,” said Tota, project coordinator at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. “We’re coming to you. We’re providing transportation. It’s one-stop shopping.”

The idea began in the Police Department, where officers were trying to devise new ways to combat drug-dealing, prostitution, and homelessness.

Volunteers will hand out more fliers today detailing how people can get free transportation to rehabilitation facilities for free beds and treatment, free testing for sexually transmitted diseases, and access to free doctors and addiction counselors.
Organizers hope to serve 100 people, Tota said.

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