Portsmouth police and the Quick Response Team handled several overnight calls involving people in crisis and suspected drug use.
The first call came in at approximately 12:30 a.m. from Royce Street.
A caller reported seeing a thin woman carrying a bag, walking in the street, yelling about fighting people, and threatening to burn houses down.
When an officer made contact with the woman, police requested assistance from the Quick Response Team.
QRT counselors arrived within approximately five minutes. After speaking with them, the woman agreed to leave with a counselor and get help.
A few minutes later, police received another call from Wendy’s on the Scioto Trail.
An employee reported that a driver who appeared to be under the influence of drugs had just passed through the drive-thru.
The vehicle was gone by the time officers arrived, and police were unable to locate the driver.
At approximately 4:30 a.m., another woman walked into the Portsmouth Fire Department on Gallia Street and told firefighters she was in crisis and needed help.
Dispatch again contacted the Quick Response Team.
Counselors responded, spoke with the woman, and she agreed to go for treatment.
The calls show how frequently police officers, firefighters, and crisis counselors are asked to respond when someone is struggling with addiction, mental illness, or another personal emergency.
In two of the three incidents, the people involved agreed to accept help, and no arrests were reported.
