The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office’s Substance Opportunity Treatment Program [S.T.O.P.] has been awarded the title of Program of the Year by the Massachusetts Sheriff Association.

S.T.O.P. was recognized at the 2024 Law Enforcement & Corrections Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 19, for its “innovative, evidence-based approach to treating substance use disorder, offering personalized care, therapeutic activities, and comprehensive re-entry support that has significantly reduced recidivism rates among participants,” according to the announcement.

Those accepted into S.T.O.P. are removed from the general population for the three or six-month duration of the program. They are placed in the state-of-the-art, standalone rehabilitation unit and treatment clinic 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This separation eliminates the external pressures of being in the general population for those struggling to achieve sobriety,” according to the announcement.

The program works to address the root causes of addiction and co-occurring disorders while also setting individuals up for success beyond sobriety. The program is coupled with specialized classes and vocational opportunities.

“The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has created a model approach for dealing with substance use disorder in a correctional setting,” commented Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “We have presented on S.T.O.P. at national Sheriffs and Human Services conferences. Industry professionals are impressed with the level of care and services offered to those in S.T.O.P. The staff of the program works hard to make this program successful. Being recognized at the state’s capitol building is a well-deserved honor.”

Evangelidis represents the largest county by area in Massachusetts. Since 2011, he has adopted a policy emphasizing the importance of drug and alcohol rehabilitation while also maintaining a tough stance on crime. This approach has enabled WCSO staff to tackle the issue of substance abuse comprehensively while ensuring the safety and security of Massachusetts residents.