The now countywide initiative, based off the Gloucester Township model started in 2014, continues to gather more support
Since the Oct. 17 launch of Project SAVE (Substance Abuse Visionary Effort) as a countywide effort to combat opioid use disorder, an original Gloucester Township program implemented in 2014, six more municipalities have joined the program.
The program was recently expanded to all of Camden County for municipalities that wished to join, and have until the end of the year to pass a resolution to do so. Audubon Park, Bellmawr, Brooklawn, Camden City, Haddon Heights and Haddon Township have all joined the original 18 municipalities that joined the initiative for its announcement.
Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr, founder and active member of the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force, talked about intervention being the next operational phase.
“We are looking at all options to make a long-term impact on this epidemic,” Cappelli said. “We have seen the impact this program has had on a small scale in Gloucester Township and we believe as a governing body we should be opening it up and providing the same hope and opportunity for treatment, detox and recovery throughout the entire county. It is no secret that every municipality in the county is struggling with this crisis and the sooner we have the ability to get professionals intervening to stop it, the better off residents will be.”
The program is a one-year pilot program that will provide direct assistance to individuals in need suffering from opioids. If an individual needs help, call the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force’s toll free hotline for help at (856) 374–6361.
