Baltimore officers learn history lessons to better police city

BALTIMORE —Baltimore City police officers are learning about different aspects of the city to better police it.

Officers are attending classes through a program called "The History of Baltimore Speakers Series." So far, they have talked about the docks and the LGBT community in town.

Addiction experts and recovering addicts gave Baltimore City police officers an in-depth look at the heroin problem. About 75 officers heard explanations about the history of heroin, how it made its way into society and about the treatment options available to addicts.

"You cannot arrest your way out of this. This is a chronic disease, and by having this kind of seminar with these police officers, it's a good chance for them to understand the history of drug use here, the history of heroin, but also what kind of treatment is available and the fact that it's effective," said Diana Morris, the director of the Open Society Institute of Baltimore, who helped facilitate the class.

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