Morris County Prosecutor's Office Joins Virtual Opioid Presentation
Published on June 09, 2020
June 9, 2020
On June 8, 2020, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury, under the direction of Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, joined a virtual presentation on the opioid epidemic hosted by the Center for Network Therapy (CNT) in West Orange. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seabury was joined on Facebook Live by CNT's Medical Director Dr. Indra Cidambi, along with Elaine Hernandez, Director of Recovery Support Services for Bergen County, and Captain Hector Carter of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.
Participants reflected on how the law enforcement approach over the years has changed, acknowledging that the epidemic cannot be solved through arrests alone. For example, officers in New Jersey carry naloxone to reverse overdoses. Participants also discussed stigma associated with substance abuse, how fentanyl is making heroin more deadly, dangers posed by legally-prescribed medication, and availability of naloxone.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seabury stressed that this scourge impacts individuals and families of all backgrounds.
We are losing too many people to this disease, and we have a lot of work to be done, said CAP Seabury.
The COVID-19 public health emergency has compounded the situation created by opioid substance abuse. Many recovery programs have shifted online, but are slowly returning back to in-person services. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seabury noted that Morris County has experienced an uptick in fatal overdoses during this time of social distancing.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seabury has routinely conducted opioid presentations around Morris County over the last six years, addressing high school students, community members and law enforcement alike. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seabury's goal is to educate the community at large about the dangers of opioids and to explain the proactive law enforcement actions being taken by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office recognizes that education and prevention are crucial components to combatting the crisis.
Prosecutor Knapp said, CAP Seabury has been recognized statewide for his expertise and accomplishments in the investigation and prosecution of narcotics cases. More importantly, he has been compassionately dedicated to helping those who are fighting addiction to get the treatment they need. His leadership in Operation Helping Hand is demonstrative of his commitment to service.
Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at mknab@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8159.
Left to right: CNT's Medical Director Dr. Indra Cidambi; Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury; Elaine Hernandez, Director of Recovery Support Services for Bergen County; and Captain Hector Carter of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.