Five area police departments joined together to form a regional mental health collaborative to provide residents with resources, including access to mental health clinicians, peer recovery coaches for those struggling with substance use, and licensed drug and alcohol clinical interns.

The Front Line Initiative was started in 2016, according to a press release issued by John Guilfoil Public Relations on behalf of the Chelmsford, Billerica, Dracut, Tewksbury and Tyngsboro Police departments. The initiative is available for residents of each of these towns, the release states.

“We’re committed to pursuing every possible avenue to better serve the people in our community struggling with mental health and substance use disorders,” said Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney.

The initiative went through an expansion and rebranding in March 2020 after receiving a grant from the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Dracut Police Chief Stephen Chaput said the collaborative will work with experts and professionals in the mental health and substance use recovery field.

“We’re grateful to have their support, which plays a vital role in the overall success of this collaborative,” Chaput said.

The release states the initiative provides services such as:

• Teletherapy
• Phone follow-up calls
• Individual and group recovery services
• Case management/referral services
• Access to crisis care

“Today’s law enforcement is more trained and better equipped than ever,” Tewskbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus said. “This approach to mental health and substance use disorders is about helping people who are suffering.”

Tyngsboro Police Chief Richard Howe added it’s critical that residents with behavioral health and substance use disorders are supported in accessing the treatment and recovery services they need.

“We are fortunate to be able to provide around-the-clock care and help for our residents,” Howe said.

For those wanting to access the services, call the Clinical Support Team at 978-215-9642. The services are available 24-hours, seven days a week.

Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis