Mobile Van Battling Addiction To Roll Up To Somerset County Homes

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Help is on the way for Somerset County residents battling substance use addiction and mental health issues.

Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson unveiled a new mobile van that will roll up, by appointment, 24 hours a day, directly to residents' homes and businesses to offer help.

"The goal of this vehicle is simply to visit those that are in need," said Robertson at a press conference on Tuesday morning. "There are often times people who are reluctant, maybe ashamed, embarrassed, by what they are dealing with and are hesitant to come to resources that are available in the county. So we thought what better way to serve them than to go to them."

The van was donated by Craig Calderaro who lost his son, Anthony Calderaro, to a heroin overdose five years ago.

After his son's death, Calderaro started "The Anthony Calderaro Memorial Fund" to raise awareness of the heroin addiction problem in the community.

Calderaro was very happy to see the van. "This is great," he said.

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The van, staffed by employees at Richard Hall Community Mental Health and other law enforcement agencies, has already made stops at the Bridgewater Commons mall, local businesses and 100 homes.

As a result, 45 people suffering from addiction entered services through operation helping hands, said Robertson.

"This is not a law enforcement problem or a mental health problem this is an everyone's problem so we have to collaborate to solve it," said Robertson. "[Addiction] knows no socio, economic, ethnic or race boundaries, it affects all of us."

Operation Helping Hand is also hosting a 5K Walk for overdose awareness and recovery event at Duke Island Park in Bridgewater on Aug. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. The free event will have food trucks. For more information click here.

For more information on Operation Helping Hand and the mobile van click here.

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