Camden County's Drug Treatment Program For Inmates To Expand

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Camden County is receiving another $190,039 to expand its Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to combat opioid abuse, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Tuesday.

In September, the county was awarded a $600,000 grant to expand the program, which combines the use of anti-craving medication that reduce the effects of withdraw with counseling and behavioral therapies that address behavioral issues and support recovery. Read more here: Camden County To Expand Drug Treatment Program In Jail

The additional funding announced by the governor’s office on Tuesday is part of $1.67 million in County Innovation Awards to Address the Opioid Epidemic that are being awarded throughout the state. It is the first round of $3 million worth of grants to be distributed to counties by the state in the battle against the opioid epidemic.

“The Department of Human Services is committed to working with local leaders to turn the tide of the opioid epidemic,” New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said. “Today, we are announcing new awards that will support local innovative projects that were designed by and reflect the needs of local communities in combating this public health challenge."

The New Jersey Resource Project said it is happy to see the funding being dispersed, but questioned who is getting the funding, how members of the community will get access to these new services, and if these programs will lead to a decrease in overdose deaths.

“While it’s great news that the Murphy administration has begun disbursing funds to some of the hardest hit communities by the overdose crisis, it’s unclear where the remaining $98.4 million in funds is going to address this crisis," Resource Project spokesperson Priscilla Robinson said. "Our communities deserve full transparency and accountability about how NJ is spending these funds and oversight of funded programs. We want to see all of our family members, friends and neighbors survive this crisis. That means everyone everywhere needs access to life-saving overdose reversal drug Naloxone and Medically Assisted Treatment, especially for people on Medicaid and without insurance.”

In Camden County, the funding is going to an existing program. As soon as someone battling addiction is admitted into the Camden County Jail, they are enrolled in the MAT program. Every person committed to the jail receives an on-site medical evaluation including an assessment for substance and alcohol abuse.

Anyone who is identified as suffering from a substance use disorder may then agree to receive treatment while they serve their sentence.

After leaving the jail, those who completed the program are connected with one of several community-based organizations which help them re-enter society and continue to receive treatment.

Anyone who continues the program after leaving the jail will receive a personalized care plan to continue treatment and counseling. Certified professionals will determine the appropriate level of non-medicinal treatment to accompany the rest of the treatment plan.

Other initiatives Camden County has in place to combat the opioid epidemic include Project SAVE, an early intervention program at the municipal court level; putting naloxone in the hands of all first responders; and working with medical providers to limit opioid prescriptions have played a vital role in curbing the public health crisis.

In January, 280 people died due to an overdose in New Jersey, according to the state’s preliminary data. That’s a 2.8 percent decrease from December.

“These numbers are a reminder we must stay vigilant in our work,” Murphy said. “Each resident lost to the epidemic is a loved one gone too soon. This crisis requires us to pursue smart and compassionate policies laser-focused on solutions — increased availability of medication-assisted treatment, greater access to Naloxone, education and outreach to residents in need, and enhanced social supports for those on the path to and working to maintain their recovery, like housing and employment services.”

Murphy announced the grants during a roundtable with people in recovery and health professionals at Ocean Mental Health Services in Bayville.

During the roundtable, Murphy Administration officials also discussed increasing access to prevention and treatment programs, supporting anyone on the way to or already in recovery, supporting data-driven work and strengthening system-wide infrastructure, and using robust law enforcement to stem the supply of illicit drugs.

They announced the relaunch of Reach NJ, a public service initiative managed by the Department of Human Services, to encourage people to seek help for addiction, with messaging based on input from individuals in recovery and families of individuals with addiction.

New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson announced that to date more than 53,000 free doses of Narcan, the lifesaving antidote naloxone, have been distributed to approximately 424 police departments statewide, as well as approximately 400 free doses of naloxone to the staff of New Jersey public libraries.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Resource Project and the New Jersey Organizing Project are launching the “Fighting for Solutions: Ending the Overdose Crisis” tour. The goal of the tour is to tell the stories of people most impacted and highlight the need for more transparency, accountability and oversight of state programs and addiction services meant to address the overdose crisis and expand access to lifesaving public health interventions in our communities.

The first tour stop will be on April 8 at the Toms River Library, 6 p.m. People who use drugs, people in recovery, loved ones, advocates, and nonprofit service providers are encouraged to attend. For more information email Priscilla Robinson at priscilla@newjerseyop.org.