Third Burlington County Town Joins Addiction Battle

Burlington County is expanding a program that allows drug users to get connected to a program to assist them in overcoming their addiction through the local police department to a third town, authorities announced.

The "Straight ... to Treatment" program, already available in Evesham Township and Pemberton, is expanding to Burlington City, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and City of Burlington Police Chief John Fine announced.

As part of the 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 program will launch in Burlington City on May 1. It will run on y Wednesday and Thursday at the City of Burlington police station on High Street from noon to 6 p.m., in conjunction with Solstice Counseling and Wellness Center and Garden State Treatment Center.

“With the addition of the City of Burlington location, we have greatly increased the program’s coverage area and can better serve people who seek help overcoming their addiction and escaping the deadly clutch of substance abuse,” Coffina said. “I’m thankful to Chief Fine, the City of Burlington Police Department, Solstice and Garden State Treatment Center for their willingness to undertake this life-saving venture.”

Fine said the program “will enhance our effectiveness addressing substance abuse in our community.”

“We cannot arrest our way out of drug addiction,” Fine said. “While addressing narcotic distribution with strict enforcement, assisting individuals with substance abuse issues with programs such as Straight … to Treatment, and by offering resources to those who are trying to put their lives back together through training and job placement, we will continue to move our community in the right direction.”

Evesham Township was the first town to join the program when it launched in 2018. In the 13 months since, a total of 86 people seeking assistance and guidance with addiction related issues have been screened at the Evesham Township Police Department through Oaks Integrated Care, according to the prosecutor’s office.

While overdose deaths in Burlington County crept upward from 141 in 2017 to 152 in 2018, the number has decreased significantly in Evesham since the program began operating, according to the prosecutor’s office.

“I am proud to report that our agency has experienced a 67% reduction in opioid-related fatal overdoses and a 21% decrease in nonfatal overdoses during this time frame compared to the year prior to the launch of the Straight … to Treatment program,” Evesham Township Police Chief Christopher Chew said. “The program has exceeded my expectations in our continued efforts to reduce opiate abuse and to provide those who suffer from addiction with help and guidance to recovery.”

Solstice has helped 48 people in Pemberton since that town joined the program in September, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Pemberton leads the county in the number of Narcan administrations, with 34 since the beginning of the year, according to the prosecutor’s office. Police officers there approach addicts on the street and encourage them to come in and take advantage of “Straight … to Treatment,” Pemberton Police Chief David H. Jantas said.

“They offer them hope,” Jantas said. “Our officers support and understand the benefits that this program offers in helping to stem the tide of the local opioid epidemic and to help save lives.”

City of Burlington police, Solstice, and Garden State Treatment Center said they expect to do the same for those who seek treatment through their branch of the program.

“We believe in quality and individualized care for every person afflicted with addiction, alcoholism and their counterparts,” Garden State Treatment Center Marketing Director Cheryl Semiz said. “We are looking forward to collaborating with other leading treatment providers and members of the community to conquer this widespread epidemic.”

Participants don’t need insurance, and they don’t need to be Burlington County residents to participate. The program focuses on making sure that help is available at the critical moment someone has decided to seek assistance.

• Evesham Twp. Police Department, 984 Tuckerton Road, Mondays: noon – 7 p.m.
• Pemberton Twp. Police Department, 500 Pemberton-Browns Mills Road, Tuesdays: noon – 6 p.m.
• City of Burlington Police Department, 525 High Street, Wednesdays and Thursdays: noon – 6 p.m.