Cape May County Creates Opioid Death Review Team

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — Cape May County established an Opioid Fatality Review Team to better understand and address overdose deaths, while finding ways to prevent future fatalities.

The OFRT was assembled to conduct confidential reviews of overdose deaths with an intent to improve the quality of referral systems, enhanced outreach to families to provide overdose prevention and treatment services, identify new audiences for Overdose Response Program (naloxone) trainings, and amplify overdose awareness.

“We know that it is through partnerships and collaboration that we can have an impact on such a complex issue," said Freeholder Jeff Pierson. "We are encouraged by the number of partners who have come together from across our community with a sense of urgency and determination to address this issue.”

OFRT partners include, but aren't limited to, Departments of Social Service and Human Services, Acenda (formerly Cape Counseling), Cape Assist, Prosecutor’s Office, Superintendent of Schools, Cape Regional Medical Center’s CARES program, Drug/Recovery Court, local police departments and EMTs, faith-based organizations, and family members of those living with substance use disorder.

State officials have reported 37 suspected drug overdose deaths in Cape May County from January to August 2020. They counted 59 in 2019.

The county started public forums on the opioid epidemic in 2013 to involve families and professionals in the system to better understand substance use disorder and its local impact. The Prosecutor’s Office also began a school education program entitled “Pills to Heroin” and presented this program to every school in the county.

A coalition of educators, law enforcement, prevention agencies and the County Department of Human Services developed a “PRIDE Committee” to focus on educating school staff regarding trauma and substance use disorder.

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