As the opioid epidemic persists, state leaders say nontraditional partnerships have become key to the fight. It started in 2013 with the State Police Drug Monitoring Initiative program. It pairs federal, state and local law enforcement with medical professionals to track the drugs, save lives and prevent addiction. Since then, they’ve added forensic scientists to the mix. As Correspondent Raven Santana reports, they’re helping police identify which street drugs are causing the most deaths.
State Police use cutting edge forensic science to track narcotics
Correspondent
Raven Santana is an award-winning journalist with a passion for serving New Jersey’s diverse communities and a highly respected member of her own. Santana has served as correspondent/sub-anchor for NJ Spotlight News since 2018. She’s reported on the state’s business climate, health care issues, undocumented workers legislation and more. She also hosts New Jersey Business Beat with Raven Santana on NJ PBS. The first woman of color in that role, she has made it a mission to focus on often-overlooked aspects of business, from BIPOC ownership to gaps in equity and inclusion. Her recent accolades include being recognized in 2023 as part of COLOR Magazine's Power 40 Under 40 list, and in Perth Amboy Free Public Library’s 2nd Annual Women’s History Month Celebration, where she received a mayoral citation and the NJ Senate/General Assembly presented her with a Joint Legislative Resolution. She also serves on The WNET Group’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion council and is vice president of The Second Street Youth Center, based in Plainfield.