Hunterdon Healthcare is once again donating money to equip law enforcement officers in Hunterdon County with Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of a heroin or opiate overdose.
The $3,800 donation from Hunterdon Healthcare will be used to replace Naloxone that will soon expire. In July 2014, Hunterdon Healthcare donated $2,500 to fund Naloxone training and to buy Naloxone for law enforcement in Hunterdon County.
Naloxone is an aerosol form of Narcan that is administered just like a nasal spray; it blocks the effects of an opioid for a period of time and permits emergency responders to get the victim to the hospital for treatment. The effects of an opiate can last up to four hours so overdose victims who are administered Naloxone will still require medical attention.
According to Prosecutor Anthony Kearns III, “Our partnership with Hunterdon Healthcare reminds us we cannot simply arrest our way out of this problem. We cannot look at the heroin epidemic as just a law enforcement problem; rather we must also consider it and address it as a public health crisis. By having Naloxone available to police departments in Hunterdon County we are able to give people a second chance and allow them an opportunity to seek help and begin the recovery process.”
Robert P. Wise, president and CEO of Hunterdon Healthcare, said, “Our partnership with the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office and local law enforcement has proven to save lives and give the victims of overdose a second chance. I commend Prosecutor Kearns for his passion and dedication to reduce the heroin epidemic in Hunterdon County. It has become a model partnership for the rest of New Jersey.”
Mr. Kearns said, “Heroin abuse has surged in New Jersey, as young prescription pill addicts turn to heroin when they find they are unable to afford oxycodone and other prescription opiates. Heroin, today, is extremely pure here in New Jersey. An unsophisticated user is extremely prone and vulnerable to an overdose. Additionally, there are no quality controls and a person who buys heroin on the street never really knows what they are getting.”
Mr. Wise said, “As the local hospital, we understand that addictions are a serious illness, but are treatable. This is a first step in helping to save a life. The next would be to seek out support from our Hunterdon Behavioral Health department which offers comprehensive mental health and addiction services.
At one point, only hospital staff could administer Naloxone, but it became legal for police officers to administer the drug when Governor Christie signed the Overdose Prevention Act, a “good Samaritan“ law aimed at protecting those who render aid to overdose victims.
