Camden County Workshop To Explore Addiction Treatment Program

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force is looking to educate the public about a treatment that has helped countless Americans combat addiction and regain control of their lives.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines the use of anti-craving medication which reduce the effects of withdraw, with counseling and behavioral therapies that address behavioral issues and support recovery.

Despite its proven track record, much of the public remains unaware of MAT and its potential for addressing the opioid epidemic, county officials said. The task force will host the “Evidence-Based MAT in a Behavioral Health World: How Does It Integrate?” on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m. at the Camden County College campus in Gloucester Township.

Dr. Rachel Haroz, Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and Iris Jones, Owner and CEO of Wellness Clinical Innovations and Behavioral Health Therapist at Cooper Hospital will host the workshop.

“Medication-assisted treatment has been proven to aid successful addiction recovery by reducing the effects of withdraw and helping individuals in recovery to focus on a new, healthy lifestyle,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “If we are going to end the scourge of opioids in our communities, we first must break down the stigma surrounding addiction. There is no shame or embarrassment in seeking treatment for yourself or a loved one.”

The Task Force and Camden County College have already worked together to present nearly 20 workshops on topics related to addiction free of charge to the community. Each of these workshops is intended to further the Task Force’s ultimate goal of reducing the use of opioids in the county.

The Task Force hosts similar workshops throughout the year as part of its Strength and Hope: Shared Experiences of Addiction and Recovery series. Each workshop is offered for free to those who RSVP in advance of the session. Camden County College will offer CEUs to those who are pre-registered and are seeking credit towards current addiction counselor credit certifications and licensing.

The workshop is open to everyone who RSVPs to Patty DiRenzo, at 856-374-6137 or by email at patty.direnzo@camdencounty.com. Registration is also available online at http://addictions.camdencounty.com/workshop.

This series is supported by the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force, Camden County College, the Camden County Department of Health & Human Services and the Office of Mental Health & Addiction.