New Burlington County Program Helps Those Battling Addiction

A new program that allows drug users to come to the Evesham Township Police Department and be connected with a program to assist them in overcoming their addiction launches on Monday, March 26.

Under the countywide “Straight ... to Treatment” program, participants can also safely turn in any drugs or drug paraphernalia in their possession and not be charged with a drug possession offense, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office announced this week.

When they join the program, participants will be paired with representatives from Oaks Integrated Care of Mount Holly. The group, which offers treatment for substance abuse as well as other health and social service programs statewide, will use its network in an effort to find help for all who come forward, including those without the resources to seek it on their own.

“Straight . . . to Treatment will provide another option for those who are struggling with addiction to find their way to treatment," Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. "The heartbreaking number of people caught in the nightmare of this disease demands that we as a community do everything in our power to find help for people seeking it. I am incredibly grateful to the Evesham Township Police Department and to Oaks Integrated Care for devoting their resources to launch this program and hope that Straight … to Treatment can be a lifeline for those seeking treatment, and their families searching for hope for their loved ones.”

It is similar to Ocean County’s Blue HART (Heroin Addiction Recovery Treatment) program, which has been successful at connecting addicts with treatment, Coffina said.

In 2017, Burlington County experienced 141 overdose deaths, a 70 percent increase over the 83 in 2016, and an 88 percent increase over 2015 according to the prosecutor’s office. Burlington County law enforcement and emergency responders deployed Narcan over 900 times in 2017 (a 40 percent increase over 2016), saving nearly that many people in the process. Without these lifesaving naloxone deployments, Burlington County could have approached 1,000 overdose deaths last year.

“The Evesham Township Police Department is honored to partner with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office in launching the Straight … to Treatment program,” Evesham Township Police Chief Chris Chew said. “I am proud that this initiative will reduce the impact of opiate abuse in our community and will provide those who suffer from addiction an opportunity to get help and guidance to recovery.”

Initially, the program will be in operation on Mondays from noon to 7 p.m. at the Evesham Township Police Station, which is located at 984 Tuckerton Road in Marlton. As the program grows, hours will be extended. Coffina anticipates expanding the initiative to other municipalities in the near future.

Oaks Chief Executive Office Derry Holland said the organization actively seeks to create partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, municipalities, hospitals and non-profit community providers to help those in need.

“We all know someone impacted by substance abuse - a family member, friend, neighbor, colleague - the disease has no boundaries,” Holland said. “Recovery is possible with the right resources, treatment and continuing care. Straight … to Treatment will give individuals and families in our communities increased access to critical services and offer hope for long-term recovery.”

The attached images were provided by the Burlington Prosecutor’s Office:

Photo #1: From left to right: Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina; Oaks Integrated Care Vice President Brenda Brown-Goggins; Oaks Integrated Care Addiction Services Supervisor Nicole Bixler; Evesham Township Police Chief Chris Chew; Evesham Township Mayor Randy Brown.

Photo #2: Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina addresses reporters at this morning’s press conference announcing the new Straight … to Treatment program to assist drug users.