Police officers watching the houses of known heroin dealers on Whidbey Island noticed something surprising. Some of the people going into the houses to make buys weren’t the usual suspects.

They weren’t known users and didn’t have criminal histories. They were normal folks with regular lives.

Such is the insidious nature of opiates. People can and do become addicted without making any bad decisions. Someone might seek relief from pain and become hooked on pills. Heroin is the logical, less-expensive alternative when prescriptions run out.

Police arrest dealers and, occasionally, users, but it does little to combat an epidemic that’s gripping our community.

Fortunately, the Island County sheriff, Human Services Department and county commissioners are exploring a different model for confronting opioid addiction. A deputy will team with an outreach worker and public health nurse to reach out to those struggling with addiction.

The idea is that a seasoned officer knows where to find users and has an established rapport with many of them. It can only be a positive thing for vulnerable people to see a law enforcement officer as a friend and ally.

The program will initially focus on South Whidbey and Camano Island. South Whidbey has been especially engulfed in the crisis.

Public officials are most likely to respond when a community is educated about a problem and asks for help.

The Oak Harbor community should also take a hard look at the heroin problem in its midst. Recent crime and a rise in homeless encampments have been linked to opioid use.

Functioning addicts can’t function forever, and Island County’s efforts to combat opioid use can only bring positive results for communities struggling with addiction.