BRICK – Programs that have been recently instituted seem to be paying off, police said, as the number of overdoses is slowing down.
The county is in the grips of a serious epidemic as heroin mixed with fentanyl has become more accessible, officials have said. Brick police said that the township has been in the top ten New Jersey towns impacted by opiates, based on statistics from the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
While the number of overdoses is rising across the country, Brick saw a reduction of 35.5 percent in the past two years, according to a press release sent out by the police.
There are a number of programs that have been instituted, including BlueHART, where people in need of addiction can come to the police department, turn in their drugs and needles, and ask for help without any fear of arrest.
“We’re out here trying to help people,” said Brick Township Chief James Riccio. “It’s not just Blue HART, it’s education. We have programs now in the elementary, middle, and high schools. We do senior citizen education and business communities, PTAs.”
The active D.A.R.E. presence in schools, the #NotEvenOnce school program, the use of Narcan (a chemical spray used to reverse overdoses), Lead and Seed school program, Neighborhood Watch, senior outreach, and the drug take-back program are also seeing results.
“Although these numbers are encouraging, the Brick police see this problem as something that must continue to be addressed,” the press release continued. “No number of deaths from overdoses is acceptable…the work towards the ultimate goal of zero is ongoing.”
For more information, visit Brickpd.com, or call 732-262-1100.
Programs my ass…
How about we’re running low on junkies finally? They’re dieing faster than they can reproduce..it’ll all sort itself out.
Dennis Willard Dieing ? Lol You mean, dying? You too could crack open a book or two.
Okay….. I DID spell it right the first time . But nooooo….I listened to Mr Autocorrect ?
Dennis Willard you need to learn how to spell before you use that narrow mind of yours. And the rest of you narrow minded people are heartless . You don’t have a damn clue about addiction. But no worries we will be here when you need us or when your little Susie or little Johnny or your Mrs. Or Mr. Narrow Mind needs us. And I won’t let you or your loved one die even though you deserve/choose to do soo.. You are what is wrong with the world .
Reviving them with narcon ,
If you are going to be ignorant at least learn to spell.
I’m sure this won’t be good enough for those people who want addicts dead not recovered. Some people just need someone to feel superior than.
yeah sorry, they have a death wish the second they start overdosing. You can call me heartless, but I’m pretty sure that NOBODY forced those junkies to start taking drugs. A family member of mine, who was into drugs, always said that nobody ever forced her into drugs and it was her decision to do them. Yes, she got clean. No, she never overdosed. But she knew when to quit. She’s been clean for several years and is living a great life.
Someone’s daughter…
She didn’t want to die. She was sick.
Really that simple. Be informed instead of spewing bullsh*t.
Desiree Domer you are ignorant in addition to uneducated. Just because you know one person who did drugs does not mean you have a clue about addiction and it’s painfully obvious that you don’t even understand the basic concept of addiction.
Desiree, your one-instance anecdata doesn’t mean you know what is in the minds and hearts of all of the addicts out there.
I have friends who used in their younger days and quit when they were ready to. No problem. They, however, are the lucky few who for whatever reason did not develop an addiction. Maybe spend some time in the Rooms of AA/NA/Al-Anon/etc. and listen to people’s stories before speaking with an empty heart and uneducated mind.
Desiree Domer you are heartless
I’m laughing at every single one of you right now. If you cared about your family members, they wouldn’t be doing drugs AT ALL.
https://youtu.be/Zt0JToDkby4
I had a lot of friends die from overdoses. They CHOSE to do the drug. They weren’t forced, it wasn’t a mental disorder, BUT THE KEY WORD IS CHOSE! It’s a sad situation, but they CHOSE that part of their life.
Don’t believe it for one second