Camden County Cop Makes 300th Narcan Save

When a Camden County Police officer used narcan to save an overdose victim last Friday, it was the 300th time a police officer has done so since police began carrying the heroin antidote last year.

“The highest priority for law enforcement at every level is protection and preservation of human life,” Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson said in a release issued on Tuesday. “The actions of these men and women deserve to be recognized for the hundreds of lives that have been saved, returning loved ones to their families- creating opportunities for substance abuse rehabilitation and recovery.”

Thomson credited New Jersey Attorney General John Jay Hoffman, Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo, Camden County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Mark Chase, Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle and Pine Hill Police Chief Chris Winters with establishing the training and securing the equipment to enable the police departments in Camden County to administer Narcan.

Additionally, the Camden County Freeholder Board created the Camden County Heroin Addiction Awareness Task Force in an effort to align resources for education, treatment, prevention and training for families and individuals struggling with this affliction.

“We are creating one congruent and cohesive unit to work on this epidemic aligning law enforcement, treatment providers, healthcare providers and advocates to fight this crisis. Furthermore, our job is to tear down the stigma of addiction and work with the community to treat help residents treat this disease,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “We know that opioid dependence does not discriminate and affects every household in this state regardless of your socio-economic background. Make no mistake, the work all 35 police departments are doing on this issue are saving the lives of our residents and they should be commended for it.”

While the most recent save came on Sept. 11, the very first save took place just after 8:20 a.m., on May 23, 2014.

Officer Edwin Cortez was in the area of 6th and Cherry streets when he was flagged down to render aid to man who was experiencing a heroin overdose. Cortez and Officer Benjamin Patti then administered the anti-opioid medication Narcan, at which time the victim regained consciousness. He was then transported to Cooper University Hospital for treatment.