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New Jersey Receives $1.1M In Federal Grants To Fight Opioid Abuse

Three New Jersey-based opioid abuse programs are receiving a total of $1.1 million in federal grants, part of the $58.9 million the U.S. Department of Justice is awarding to address the nationwide epidemic, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced Tuesday.

More than 4,000 folds of heroin and more than 130 packages of crack – worth a combined $12,000 on the street -- were sold in under a month, authorities said.

More than 4,000 folds of heroin and more than 130 packages of crack – worth a combined $12,000 on the street -- were sold in under a month, authorities said.

Photo Credit: File photo.

  • $600,000, N.J. Department of Law and Public Safety. The department will collaborate with state agencies to develop a computerized, data-sharing Integrated Drug Awareness Dashboard (IDAD).
  • $400,000, County of Camden. The county will implement the Camden County Opioid Abuse Diversion Program (CCOAD) to improve treatment and support services for individuals with a history of opioid misuse.
  • $100,000, N.J. Department of Law and Public Safety. The department will use grant funds to create a coordinated plan, formulated with pertinent stakeholders, to assess how best to leverage various resources and funding streams to expand programs through the through the establishment of Opioid Response Teams to add another point of entry to treatment for opioid-addicted individuals.

In 2016, nearly 60,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses, an increase from the 52,000 overdose deaths the year before. Opioids, including illicit fentanyl and its analogues, are responsible for most of these deaths.

"The epidemic of opioid abuse is a true national emergency, impacting families and communities throughout New Jersey," Fitzpatrick said. 

"The funding provided by the Department of Justice will be used to help prevent addiction while at the same time providing much needed resources for treatment and recovery."

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