Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and City of Burlington Police Chief John Fine recently announced the implementation of a drug treatment program that allows people to walk off the street and into a police station to seek help with addiction is expanding to the City of Burlington.
The program began on May 1 in the City of Burlington.
The announcement which came on April 24, explained the details and operations of the “The Straight … to Treatment” program which will operate every Wednesday and Thursday at the City of Burlington police station on High Street from noon to 6 p.m. in conjunction with Solstice Counseling and Wellness Center and Garden State Treatment Center.
The program was launched in March 2018 in Evesham Township and expanded to Pemberton Township in late September.
“With the addition of the City of Burlington location, we have greatly increased the program’s coverage area and can better serve people who seek help overcoming their addiction and escaping the deadly clutch of substance abuse,” Coffina said. “I’m thankful to Chief Fine, the City of Burlington Police Department, Solstice and Garden State Treatment Center for their willingness to undertake this life-saving venture.”
Chief Fine said the program “will enhance our effectiveness addressing substance abuse in our community.”
“We cannot arrest our way out of drug addiction,” Fine said. “While addressing narcotic distribution with strict enforcement, assisting individuals with substance abuse issues with programs such as ‘Straight … to Treatment,’ and by offering resources to those who are trying to put their lives back together through training and job placement, we will continue to move our community in the right direction.”
Evesham Township, which has reported to have positive results with the program since it was unveiled there 13 months ago, said that a total of 86 people seeking assistance and guidance with addiction-related issues have been screened at the Evesham Township Police Department through Oaks Integrated Care.
While officials said that overdose deaths in Burlington County crept upward from 141 in 2017 to 152 in 2018, the number has decreased significantly in Evesham since the program began operating.
Insurance is not necessary to receive help through the program, and neither is residency in Burlington County. The program focuses on making sure that help is available at the critical moment someone has decided to seek assistance.
City of Burlington police, Solstice, and Garden State Treatment Center expect to do the same for those who seek treatment through their branch of the program.
“We believe in quality and individualized care for every person afflicted with addiction, alcoholism and their counterparts,” said Cheryl Semiz, Garden State’s Director of Marketing. “We are looking forward to collaborating with other leading treatment providers and members of the community to conquer this widespread epidemic.”
“Straight … to Treatment” locations
Evesham Township Police Department, 984 Tuckerton Road, Mondays: noon-7 p.m.
Pemberton Township Police Department, 500 Pemberton-Browns Mills Road, Tuesdays: noon-6 p.m.
City of Burlington Police Department, 525 High Street, Wednesdays and Thursdays: noon-6 p.m.