STATE OF NEW JERSEY | COUNTY OF BERGEN
               

Response to the Opioid Epidemic

Opioid Response

Bergen County Opioid Statistics

Year
Overdoses
LE Narcan Deployments
LE Narcan Saves
Drug Related Fatalities
2022 YTD
191
115
76
31
2021
711
368
255
155
2020
665
324
239
146
2019
660
388
276
141
2018
587
344
256
145
2017
504
325
245
129
2016
320
208
180
99
2015
288
187
170
87

Bergen County Opioid Initiatives and Resources

Medicine Dropbox Locations

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Heroin Addiction Recovery Team (HART)

Bergen County’s Heroin Addiction Recovery Team is an innovative approach to the opioid epidemic that connects individuals to services when they are ready to seek recovery. The program is a collaboration of local police departments, CarePlus NJ, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction or members of their family can walk in to any Bergen County police station to be connected to treatment, services, and other resources.

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Operational Helping Hand

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal developed Operation Helping Hand as a new way to combat opioid addiction in Bergen County while serving as the County Prosecutor in 2016. At that time, the Operation Helping Hand strategy began with law enforcement officers arresting users purchasing heroin – or, in some cases, other narcotics – at open-air drug markets.

When the users were brought to the police station or prosecutor’s office for processing on narcotics possession charges, recovery specialists and other healthcare partners were waiting to connect them with treatment and recovery services. The charges were not dropped if the user accepted help, but every effort was made to place him or her on the path to recovery. Operation Helping Hand has been steadily expanding to more counties since 2018 as part of Governor Murphy and Attorney General Grewal’s all-hands-on-deck strategy for combatting the opioid epidemic.

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Municipal Arrest Initiative

The Municipal Arrest Initiative allows police officers who encounter individuals with an opioid addiction to connect them with peer recovery support. This connection provides individuals an opportunity to enter treatment and removes obstacles on the path to recovery.

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Bergen County Municipal Recovery Court

The Bergen County Municipal Recovery Court is a cooperative effort between the BCPO, The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, municipal courts, and local police departments. Eligible defendants are connected with a patient navigator to develop a plan for treatment and recovery. They are supported throughout the process by a peer recovery specialist, and those who remain in compliance with the treatment or recovery plan for six months are eligible for their charges to be dismissed.

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24/7 Hotline Service

The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources have launched a 24/7 hotline in partnership with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office to help Bergen County residents access addiction services and support while we are all staying at home. The 24/7 hotline is manned by a Recovery Support Specialist from The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources. If you or a loved one is looking for services and support, please call or text (201) 589- 2976.

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