Since 2019, the Safe Passage program at the Taylorville Police Department has helped the community overcome its battles with addiction.

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - Since 2019, the Safe Passage program at the Taylorville Police Department has helped the community overcome its battles with addiction. Whether it is alcohol or drugs, the program helps people connect with resources to detox in a safe space.  

"A lot of police departments will look at people needing help and say 'He's just an addict' or 'He's just an alcoholic,' but we take a different approach," said Taylorville Chief of Police Dwayne Wheeler. "We take a different approach; we've helped over 1,200 citizens since 2019 get treatment." 

While people were hesitant at first to seek help at the police department, Wheeler said word got around about the help they provided. Anyone can walk in the doors, say they are there for the Safe Passage program, and get connected with a Safe Passage coordinator. 

"They decide themselves that they want help," said Denise Evans, coordinator of the Safe Passage program. "They usually tell me they have a drug problem or want to get off something or need help in whatever way." 

After talking with the person, the Safe Passage coordinator calls local treatment facilities to see if any have beds available. Once they find somewhere to stay, they drive the person seeking help there, free of charge. 

Once they have completed their program, which is usually 30 days, Safe Passage continues to provide support. They will help find housing and furniture, as well as provide support resources. 

"We have meetings all over the town on different nights of the week," said Evans. "A lot of people that we've helped call me every couple of days to say I'm doing good still." 

The program has brought widespread changes to the Taylorville area.

Wheeler says drug arrests, robberies and burglaries are all down. 

"It's a snowball effect right now with recovery because the ones that are still struggling right now are seeing people advance and become productive citizens, and that's what they want to do here," said Wheeler. "They want to be like that." 

The Safe Passage program is supported by donations and grants. They were recently awarded a $40,000 grant by the Christian County 708 Mental Health Board. 

Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.