DULUTH, MN (KDAL) – The Duluth Police Department has formed a new Behavioral Health Unit to encompass their Co-responder Mental Health (CORE) and Substance Use Response Teams (SURT).
Since substance use and mental health often go hand in hand, the decision was made to combine the two teams under one umbrella unit.
Behavioral health issues make up a substantial percentage of 9-1-1 calls and the work of the new unit will reduce the number of calls for service.
The Behavioral Health Unit consists of a police lieutenant, sergeant, four peer recovery specialists, three licensed social workers, an independent clinical social worker, a registered nurse and three police officers dedicated to the CORE team.
The unit provides resources to those in need that include recovery support, harm reduction, withdrawal management services and access to mental health facilities.
