Since its inception, Narcan – the innovative nasal drug antidote introduced by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in 2014 – has seen staggering results around the County – including right here in Lakewood.
Documents obtained by TLS show the Lakewood Police and EMS Department used the antidote to revive dozens of drug overdose victims in Lakewood.
The Lakewood Township began using the antidote shortly after it was rolled out in April of 2014, and during that first year, they administered narcan five times to four patients.
In 2015, police and ems administered narcan 34 times to 31 patients, and in 2016 thus far, they administered narcan to eight patients.
In all incidents, the patients were revived, except for one in which police and EMS personnel were unable to revive the patient.
But with all the reversals taking place, the question is, are drug users taking more drugs knowing they can be revived?
Police Chief Rob Lawson tells TLS, “of course there’s a possibility.” In fact, says the Chief, there has been incidents were the same users were revived more than once, and sometimes even three times.
But Chief Lawson says that’s unfortunately not something in his control, and all they can do is do their job of being there to protect the citizens and not allowing them to die.
“We can’t say, oh, he’s a junkie anyway, let him die,” says Lawson. “We need to do what we can.”
And when officers do bring a patient back and saves their life, it gives them a great boost knowing they just saved someone’s life, Lawson says.
Al Della Fave, the Ocean County Prosecutor spokesman tells TLS there’s unfortunately not much of a thought process when it comes to the addictive heroin drug.
“I think it’s just the grip of the addiction,” says Della Fave. “Once they’re addicted, there no longer rational thought – they don’t care about the fact that they can be revived. They want to feel higher, and there’s just no satisfying the addict. The high completely consumes them, and then they want a better high.”
And the dealers unfortunately know just that, says Della Fave, and are taking advantage of it.
In recent years, drug dealers have been mixing more dangerous items into their drugs, ensuring the drug gives their clients a higher ‘kick’ – something they crave. That desire for the extra kick, says Della Fave, throws them over the edge, and in many cases killed them.
But it’s not just in Lakewood, it’s around the County and beyond.
But one thing is clear, numbers show, narcan is making a difference and is saving lives – thanks to Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, the founder of the program.
“The Prosecutor has done a great job, and I commend him for his initiative,” says Police Chief Rob Lawson.
The numbers:
In 2013, there were 112 heroin overdose deaths in Ocean County, in 2014 there were 101 deaths, in 2015 there were 95 deaths, and in 2016 – thus far – 21 deaths, Della Fave says.
But the amount of times that narcan was administered over the past couple of years, worries officials.
In 2014, the County used narcan 129 times, in 2015 272 times, and in 2016 – thus far – 68 times.
“What concerns us is its just a finger in the dyke,” says Della Fave. “It highlights the fact that the crisis hasn’t subsided, it’s kind of a band-aid.”
Solutions:
Realizing there’s more than a serious issue, Prosecutor Coronato again rolled up his sleeves, and rolled out his newest initiative to combat it – ‘Narcan 2’.
The newly named Opioid Overdose Recovery Program, says Della Fave, is a partnership between the Prosecutor’s office, Barnabas Health, the NJ Department of Health and other health care providers. After an overdose patient is brought into the hospital, he or she is stabilized, and is then visited by a recovery counselor. The counselors, generally former addicts, speak to the patients and convince them to enter a detox and recovery program.
The Prosecutor’s Office was hoping for an approximately 15% starting success rate, but since starting the program about seven weeks ago, 26 patients, have already joined the Narcan 2 program – giving it an approximately 75% success rate – way beyond expectations.
The prosecutor’s office made it clear – they are on a mission – a mission to not only save lives, but to improve the ones they save.
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Narcan is not a new drug, has been used for a while just new to ems and police
What is missing from this article is the information that is more relevant to the orthodox community. The success rate of a program like Narcan 2 is based on enrollment but does not take into consideration the relapse rate. The Lakewood community needs more preventative measures. The community as a whole needs to stand behind the organizations such as Minyan Shelanu that are working with the teenagers in this town and are in pain. Addiction is a symptom of a bigger problem. These kids are in pain and it needs to be addressed.
Waste of my tax dollars !
Please remove Jason comments it is extremely insensitive to all those struggling with addiction obviously he has no value for life
What is glaringly missing from your article is where are the law enforcement officers and township doing about preventing sales of heroin in Lakewood. Like arresting the dealers?? Affecting trendsetters for possession?? Pathetic.
As long as an addicted person is still alive, a chance for recovery exists.