By Briana Vannozzi
Correspondent
Nicole Lomonoco credits volunteer recovery specialists for connecting her with the program that’s treating her drug and alcohol addiction.
Does she think she would have sought out their help if someone hadn’t intercepted her in the ER?
“No I never even heard of CURE until that nurse saw how I was mistreated by staff and wanted to help me and didn’t want to see me go through this alone,” Lomonoco said.
At Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May County, an advocacy program is helping to curb drug overdoses. Trained volunteers from a community group called ASAP are intervening right at the ER bedside.
“Once their in that position they’re no longer in danger medically, then we — meaning the emergency physician or nurse — will approach them or their families with, do you want help, are you interested in cleaning up, getting off drugs, getting off alcohol?” explained Dr. Domenic Coletta, emergency medicine physician at Cape Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Coletta says this is a community effort at its finest. Everyone from law enforcement to educators and health care workers are on board.
“In the past we were not able to really find places in the middle of the night, weekend or even a regular weekday for these poor people who wanted to get help,” he said.
“When we were doing the planning process Dr. Coletta, the ER doctor, said why do we want to just do this for overdoses? How about if we do this and treat all substances? Because they were treating so many people suffering from alcoholism or a substance abuse and I think that’s important because now we’re getting them before it becomes an overdose,” said Sueanne Agger.
Special attention is given to the families of addicts, too. Most volunteers — like Tonia Ahern — are personally affected. Her son has struggled with addiction.
“We never judge and no matter how many times they end up in the emergency room we’re right there working with them. We’ve got people who have come in multiple times and every call we’re there,” she said.
Once referred, patients are followed for a year. Even if they aren’t ready to commit to treatment program right away. If they relapse, that year starts all over again.
“We keep in touch, get them to meetings, give them rides if they need rides. We call them on the phone, check in on them, ” said recovery specialist Maureen Vanhorn.
“We’re seeing people that never wanted treatment and are now are going,” Ahern said.
And advocates say, the follow-up is the missing link to successful treatment — giving patients hope and support once they’re on their own.
With summer fast approaching, most counties are bracing for a seasonal uptick in both crime and substance abuse. The folks involved here say they’re ready and this time, they have a plan.
Related: Cape May County Sees 25 Percent Drop in Drug Overdoses