Prosecutor pledges money to help fight opioid epidemic

Published on June 16, 2017

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp on Monday is scheduled to present a $10,000 check to Morris County CARES to train peer recovery specialists to help those recovering from possible drug overdoses.

The money, which will come from the county's drug forfeiture fund, is part of the county's Narcan 2.0 program. Launched on May 18, the program requires every person whose overdose condition has been reversed'' in the field, thanks to the administration of the drug Narcan by police officers or first responders, to be mentored by a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.

Prosecutor Knapp has directed all law enforcement officers in Morris County to request that a specialist respond to an emergency room every time Narcan successfully reverses an opiate related overdose.

The goal is for the recovery specialist to convince the individual to undergo treatment, which can break the cycle of addiction, and very simply save lives,'' Knapp said when the program began. This truly will provide people with a second chance at life.''

The Morris County Center for Addiction Recovery Education & Success (CARES), is a peer to peer, volunteer based recovery oriented sanctuary in Rockaway Borough.

It will use the funds to train specialists to mentor those who have been revived by Narcan. The specialists' goal is to engage individuals and encourage them to embark on their most willing pathway of recovery.

The check will be presented at 10 a.m. at CARES' monthly breakfast at its facility at 25 West Main Street, Rockaway Borough

It is very fitting to utilize funds seized from drug dealers convicted in Morris County to train Peer Recovery Specialists, who are partners with law enforcement in combatting the opiate epidemic, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury, who heads the Morris County Prosecutor's Special Operations Division.

For more information on this release, contact Public Information Officer Fred Snowflack at (973) 829-8159 or pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us.