Garden State Times

The Camden County Office of Mental Health and Addiction, in collaboration with the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force, has provided over 400 overdose response kits to Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital and Jefferson Stratford Hospital. This initiative aims to combat the opioid crisis in Camden County by equipping patients with tools to prevent future overdoses.

Jefferson Health will distribute these kits to patients suffering from overdoses or substance use disorder issues at their Camden County-based hospitals. The kits include 4mg Narcan nasal spray vials, fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, instructions for use, contact information for the Office of Mental Health & Addiction, details about the OD Protection Act, and guidelines on responding to an overdose.

Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. emphasized the importance of making these lifesaving medications widely available: “We know that getting these lifesaving medications into the hands of those who need it most improves the outcomes of overdose responses.”

Aaron Chang, President of Jefferson Health East Region, expressed gratitude for the county's support: “The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact in our community and joint collaboration with community partners is the only way we can improve the current situation.”

According to a recent report by NJ ROIC-Drug Monitoring Initiative, Camden County saw a 39% decrease in overdose deaths from January to July 2024 compared to last year. Naloxone administrations also declined significantly during this period. There were 511 naloxone administrations between January and June 2024 compared to 851 during the same period in 2023. Drug-related deaths have decreased annually since 2022.

Cappelli highlighted ongoing efforts: “We installed NaloxBoxes in every county-owned building, public park, public school, and on several school buses throughout the county.”

For addiction assistance, individuals can call 1-844-ReachNJ (732-2465) for free professional support or contact the Office of Mental Health and Addiction at (856) 374-6361 if they are residents of Camden County.