West Virginia State Police Angel Initiative
The WVSP Angel Initiative is a voluntary, non-punitive program designed to help individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Through trusted partnerships with Help4WV and community organizations, the WVSP Angel Initiative connects individuals to treatment professionals, support services, and recovery resources.
- Help4WV
The Angel Initiative is a community outreach program providing West Virginia State Troopers with a tool to combat the illegal narcotics issues which have plagued West Virginia for decades. No police agency can arrest this problem away. What we can do is provide help to our citizens in need. Offer them a path to treatment which, we hope, breaks the cycle of substance use disorder (SUD). Through this effort the West Virginia State Police believes, together, we can restore our citizens, families, communities, and state to greatness and once again call West Virginia, "Almost Heaven."
- 1LT K.G. Murray
Find Your Local Detachment
Individuals who have questions or who wish to come in for treatment may contact their local West Virginia State Police detachment. Detachment locations and phone numbers are available here:
WVSP Detachment Locations and Phone Numbers.
Angel Initiative Contact Information
Director Angel Initiative and Behavioral Health Services
1LT K.G. Murray
WVSP Executive Office
Phone: 304-352-8148
Email: kenneth.g.murray@wvsp.gov
725 Jefferson Road
South Charleston, WV 25309
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I decide to use the Angel Initiative program to enter SUD treatment?
A uniform West Virginia State Trooper will meet with you and escort you to a private area for Angel Initiative intake. The Trooper will ask you questions related to your SUD after advising you of the Program Participant Disclosure. The Trooper will ask if you have any illegal substances, paraphernalia, or dangerous items on your person. The Trooper will conduct a pat down to verify you have no narcotics, paraphernalia, or dangerous weapons on your person. After the intake form is complete, the Trooper will contact the Angel Initiative helpline where Help4WV will coordinate with rehabilitation partners to arrange transportation for you. When transportation arrives, you will be driven to a treatment facility to begin your journey to recovery.
Can I be denied entry into the Angel Initiative?
Yes. There are four (4) disqualifying factors:
- You have outstanding arrest warrants for crimes or failure to appear for a court hearing. You will be taken into custody on these outstanding warrants.
- You have an outstanding arrest warrant from another state. If the state with the outstanding warrants wishes to extradite you, then you will be taken into custody.
- You are under the age of 18 and do not have the consent of a parent, guardian, or custodian.
- You have a firearm in your possession. It is a violation of West Virginia Law for a person who is a habitual user of narcotics to possess a firearm. WV Code §61-7-7.
Can juveniles, meaning a person under the age of 18, use the Angel Initiative to get treatment for SUD?
Yes. However, the parent, guardian, or custodian of the juvenile must be present to provide their signature and agreement for the juvenile to enter a SUD treatment program.
Can I be arrested for having narcotics, paraphernalia, or dangerous items on my person?
No. The Angel Initiative is a non-punitive program. These items will be seized by the Trooper doing your intake and destroyed after your intake is completed. No charges can or will be filed against you.
If I enter the Angel Initiative, will it be public record?
No. The Angel Initiative is a confidential program. Once the enrollment form is complete, it is sent to the Director of the Angel Initiative and is filed in a secure database. Your information will not be released to anyone by the West Virginia State Police.
Where will I go for treatment?
Once the Trooper contacts the Angel Initiative helpline, Help4WV will begin working to coordinate in-patient lodging and treatment at an in-state facility. Help4WV works to get all people entering the Angel Initiative into treatment close to where they live. However, this is not always possible, and some may be entered into treatment at a facility in a location within West Virginia which is further away.
Does the Trooper drive me to the treatment facility?
No. Once the Trooper contacts the Angel Initiative helpline, Help4WV will coordinate a team of specialists to come pick you up and take you to the treatment facility.
Does the Angel Initiative cost me anything?
The West Virginia State Police does not charge any cost to a citizen who wants to voluntarily enter an SUD treatment program. The West Virginia State Police facilitate a pathway for people with SUD to locate treatment and get them into the treatment they want and need.
Part of the enrollment questioning by Help4WV will be if you have insurance. If you do not have insurance of any kind, Help4WV can assist with submitting and expediting Medicaid applications. If a person does have insurance and is using the Angel Initiative to enter SUD treatment, the insurance helps to expand the options available to the person, opening more doors for treatment opportunities.
Need help or have questions?
Contact your local WVSP detachment or the Angel Initiative Director listed above.