OCEAN COUNTY – A new program will match overdose survivors with people who are on the ground and ready to help them right away.
“The goal of the ‘First Step’ program is to link individuals that have overdosed with immediate linkage to peer recovery specialists and clinicians from Ocean Mental Health Services. We have been working with Chief Michael DiBella and the Lacey Township Police Department and with Ocean Mental Health Services to assist individuals that have overdosed to help them navigate the treatment process,” Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
Currently, First Step is in operation in Lacey Township, where clients are linked to Ocean Mental Health services. The people that a client interacts with as their First Step include a licensed clinician, case manager, certified peer recovery specialist, detective and possibly more.
“‘First Step’ acknowledges that the first step in engaging in or seeking treatment if often the most difficult. We are really trying to meet people where they are and offer them the help they need. Natural intersections between law enforcement, service providers and those in need will continue to be our North Star. I am hopeful that ‘First Step’ will be successful and we can expand into other municipalities after we see some positive outcomes,” Billhimer said.
The program is made possible by Operation Helping Hand grant funding through the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
“We are painfully aware that many drug overdoses are fatal. Surviving family members are often left lost, heartbroken and struggling to pick up the pieces. With these family members in mind, we designed ‘First Step’ to provide linkage for surviving family members to immediate peer support, guidance and recovery. ‘First Step’ gives individuals and their families the tools they need to battle substance abuse disorder and the collateral damage the disorder brings to the whole family,” he said.
Billhimer commended the Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Renee White and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Offenders Unit, the Lacey Township Police Department and Ocean Mental Health Services for their collaborative to bring this program to fruition.
