Program To Help Survivors Of Opioid Overdoses In Burlington County

Oaks Integrated Care of Mount Holly will administer the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP) in Burlington County to help combat the opioid epidemic that has devastated thousands of families across the country, officials announced this week.

The program, set to begin in October, is part of a state-wide effort to engage and support survivors reversed from an opioid overdose, explore recovery pathways and link them to treatment programs.

It will provide outreach to emergency departments in Burlington County to survivors who were saved from an opioid overdose using heroin antidotes such as Naloxone/Narcan. Oaks will respond to these departments in person.

Recovery Specialists and a Patient Navigator will provide outreach, peer support and assist with navigating the system. The program was awarded to Oaks by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

“Bringing recovery specialists and the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program to Burlington County is an important step in addressing this epidemic plaguing our communities. We, along with Oaks, understand that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We are confident that if we continue to take action and come together, we can truly make a difference and save lives,” Burlington County Freeholder Linda Hughes said. “With the expertise of Oaks Integrated Care, we will link survivors to substance use disorder treatment opportunities, follow-up care and other community resources to support their recovery.”

Research indicates that the longer people remain involved with treatment and continuing care, the more likely they are to benefit and thrive in their recovery. The program will offer support to survivors for a minimum of 60 days.

It will help patients navigate their recovery by exploring treatment opportunities such as outpatient, residential services or medication assisted therapy, that match their readiness for change.

This includes connecting the survivor to the recovery community for mutual support from individuals with shared experiences.

“Expanding our mission and continuum of care through addiction programs gives individuals and families increased access to critical services,” Oaks Integrated Care CEO Derry Holland said. “We all know someone impacted by substance abuse- a family member, friend, neighbor, colleague- the disease has no boundaries. OORP offers survivors hope for recovery and a chance to end the ‘revolving door’ of cycling in and out of treatment.”

Throughout their history, Oaks has cared for individuals and families with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders in multiple New Jersey counties, officials said. The organization takes a holistic approach to recovery by empowering individuals and families in decision-making and addressing barriers to service such as lack of transportation, food insecurity and homelessness.

“I am thrilled that the Freeholders and Oaks Integrated Care have arranged to provide recovery coaches for the emergency rooms serving Burlington County,” Burlington County Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina said. “Having someone available to discuss treatment options following an overdose is a great opportunity to encourage those who are struggling with addiction to make use of available resources. We must continue to find ways to provide treatment for those whose lives are being ruined by this horrific epidemic.”

Oaks Integrated Care offers over 230 health and social service programs for vulnerable adults, children and families throughout New Jersey. For more information, visit www.oaksintcare.org or call the Development Office at 609-267-5928.

Patch file photo