In an attempt to gain control of the opioid drug crisis, Brockton officials have initiated a program that encourages people struggling with illegal drugs to come to the police for help — without fear of being arrested.

Instead, they will be taken to a safe place and assigned volunteer “champions,’’ who will help them through detox and recovery, city officials said. The so-called Champion Plan, announced Wednesday by Brockton’s mayor, Bill Carpenter, is modeled after the Gloucester Police Department’s Angel Program.

Like Gloucester, Brockton has a substantial substance-abuse problem. In 2015, there were 123 fatalities attributed to drug use, according to Koren Cappiello, Brockton’s director of social services. Another 64 deaths are suspected to be also drug-related, she said. That compares with 69 drug-related fatalities in 2014.

The Brockton Fire Department responded to 45 drug-related calls this past February alone — more than one a day — in which the overdose-reversing drug naloxon was administered, according to Fire Captain Jeff Gillpatrick, who added that the number doesn’t include all overdoses in the city.

“That’s been the general trend,’’ Gillpatrick said of the high number. The new program, he said, was a “step in the right direction’’ because it offers another avenue for addicts to get help.

Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello started that city’s Angel Program in spring 2015 in response to the drug crisis. He said about 400 people have taken advantage of the help since then, and the approach has been copied in numerous other communities.

The Brockton program was developed by the mayor, Police Department, Stairway to Recovery, Brewster Ambulance, and Brockton Area Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative, according to the city.

Brockton has partnered with numerous treatment centers, and those struggling with addiction will begin the treatment process immediately, without the usual wait, Carpenter said. Details of the program are outlined on the city’s website, at www.brockton.ma.us/Community/champion-plan, and say in bright red letters: “All you have to do is come to the police station and ask for help. We are here to help.’’

The announcement also includes a link for people to apply to volunteer as “champions.’’

Treatment programs working with Brockton include the Boston VA Healthcare System, Gosnold Treatment Center, High Point Treatment Center, Spectrum Health Systems, Adcare Hospital, Norcap Lodge, and Learn to Cope.

Johanna Seltz can be reached at seltzjohanna@gmail.com.