Mahwah Receives $300K Federal Addiction Recovery Grant

MAHWAH, NJ — The township has received a $300,000 grant from the federal government to help those in the community struggling with substance abuse and addiction.

The grant was awarded under the U.S. Department of Justice Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.

The grant will allow the Mahwah Police Department and the Mahwah Municipal Alliance to build upon already existing programs, but introduce new initiatives to help curb substance abuse in town.

"It is critical that services and information are available to those suffering from and family and friends of those suffering from substance abuse issues," Batelli said. "Opioid abuse has had a devastating effect in our community as it has across the nation. It is clear that more needs to be done and the funding from the Department of Justice will allow us to meet our goals with a series of innovative programs."

The police department and the alliance work closely with Ramapo College, the Board of Education, and Valley Health Care to bring addiction help and recovery services to the community.

The alliance received a $625,000 grant from the National Drug Control Policy in 2015 to help prevent young residents from abusing alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, prescription drugs, and other substances.

Through the alliance, the township has a substance abuse specialist on call 24 hours a day people can contact to get help someone get placement in a rehabilitation facility or help with substance abuse.

"The problem of opioid addiction will not be solved by arrests alone; we must provide services and education to our community to get assistance to those who need help," said Mayor William Laforet.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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