. >> reporter: officers victor maes and leslie mills are part of a first of its kind program called law enforcement-assisted division, l.e.a.d. >> you're burned out? >> reporter: a radical new idea for policing that treats drug addiction as a disease. hoping reduction in crime will follow. >> they're not bad people, the people using. they're victimized by drug dealers who are preying on their addictions. of course they're not going to get better. >> reporter: this unit is tasked with getting to know users in just one seattle neighborhood, belltown. >> because we know the faces of the people down here, we're able to do all the other work. >> how are we going to assist you to get a better life? >> reporter: and then the program gives the officers the option for putting low-level drug offenders not into jails -- >> you're not shooting at all? >> no. >> reporter: but onto a path to recovery. >> you saved me from jumping out the window of my apartment. >> they know if this van stops, something's going to happen. somebody's going to jail. or somebody's going to be helped. >> how are you doing