COVID-19: Fatal Drug Overdoses Increasing -- Sheriff Urges Reaching Out to Hope One for Assistance
Published on April 18, 2020
Please Call for Help if You Need It
Fatal overdoses in Morris County are up by 38 percent this year over the same 14-week time frame in 2019, prompting the Morris County Sheriff's Office Hope One team to re-emphasize its network of support services during the COVID-19 healthcare crisis
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It's possible that individuals struggling with addiction feel increased stress during this pandemic or, because of social distancing, lack direct contact with supportive friends and family who normally would check on their welfare, said Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon.
Help from the Hope One team is here, just a phone call away. We don't accept that anyone agonizing over a heroin addiction or substance use disorder be alone without resources and support, especially at this very difficult time, Sheriff Gannon added.
So far in 2020, 26 individuals in Morris County have suffered suspected lethal overdoses. In the first 14 weeks of 2019, by comparison, there were 16 suspected fatal overdoses.
Statewide there have been 789 suspected fatal overdoses between Jan. 1 and March 31. In the same time frame last year, there were 657 suspected overdose deaths.
If you or someone you care about needs help, contact the following services:
CARES: CENTER FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY, EDUCATION & SUCCESS has a 24-hour support line at 973-625-1143. CARES also will deliver Narcan, upon request, in a safe, non-contact way.
HOPE ONE: 973-590-0300. For Narcan training via Zoom, please contact Morris County Sheriff's Office Corporal Erica Valvano at erice@co.morris.nj.us or at 973-590-0300.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF ESSEX AND MORRIS: Peer support line from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.: 877-760-4987; 866-445-3902; 800-381-2059. The Mental Health Association has added a daytime number for peer support, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please call: 877-760-4987.
Hope One is Sheriff Gannon's mobile substance abuse and mental health outreach program launched to stem the crisis of opioid addiction and overdoses. It is a partnership with Prevention Is Key, CARES, Daytop-NJ, the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, and Morris County Department of Human Services.
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