After 4 Overdose Deaths, South Brunswick Police Partner With Addiction Recovery Clinic

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - Even quiet South Brunswick has not been able to escape the opiate and heroin problem gripping the rest of New Jersey and the country. In the past year and a half, South Brunswick has had 24 drug overdoses, with four deaths. On 12 occasions, officers used the drug naloxone to reverse the heroin or opiate impact in an attempt to save the person's life, police revealed on Monday.

But recently, South Brunswick partnered with a recovery program to try and help those who OD seek treatment options. Under the new program, South Brunswick partnered with SOBA College Recovery, out of New Brunswick, to assist people and families seeking treatment. When an officer is called to a scene or has contact with someone struggling with opiate addiction, the officer can provide a SOBA card. SOBA will provide potential treatment options and follow up with the individual. A SOBA representative also spoke at police headquarters about opiate addiction and treatment.

“We realize that this is not a cure, but creating a comprehensive plan that partners police and health care providers will create better outcomes and save lives,” said Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. "We wanted to give people suffering addiction and their family members’ quicker access to the resources they need. The calls and emails I have received praising the police department’s response and follow through have been tremendous."

In the past month, one family reached out to express how thankful they were that the department had a resource for them as they felt helpless. Another person wrote that by the officers just taking the time to speak with them and connect them to SOBA made all the difference.

SOBA's website is www.sobanewjersey.com and their contact number is 888-559-4318. Joel Pomales is the Director of Clinical Outreach.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons / Eric Molina