Despite efforts over the last several years, the opioid epidemic continues to claim the lives of many in New Jersey. Hospitals are seeing an increase in people who have overdosed. “In particular, we’re seeing an increase in the number of naloxone-reversed patients. So those are patients who suffered a drug-related overdose and it was reversed using naloxone,” said Michael Litterer, vice president of the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention & Recovery. And that, say experts, is proof that the state needs to put more money behind treatments like naloxone and other harm-reduction services.
This week, U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced nearly $67 million in federal funding to help the state expand its prevention and treatment programs. The New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition has delivered more than 18,000 doses of naloxone this year, saving hundreds of lives, said Jenna Marie Saccomano Meller of the coalition.
