Emilia Teasdale is reporting in The Columbia Paper the Chatham Police Department is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Chatham Cares 4 U Outreach Initiative Program. To date the program has assisted 130 people into treatment. First launched on July 1, 2016, Chatham Cares encourages residents who want to overcome their drug addiction to walk into the police station, turn over their drugs and paraphernalia and ask for help. Those who come in are placed into a drug treatment program. They do not face criminal charges. “As a part-time agency, we have truly accomplished a miracle in our community...,” said Chatham Police Chief Peter Volkmann in a press release. “... We’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished and I plan to do all I can to continue saving lives.” Volkmann now travels the state speaking to police departments and other organizations about the program. In June, he declared his intention to run for Columbia County sheriff in November. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.