NEW JERSEY TRANSIT POLICE SAVING LIVES FROM OPIOIDS

Officers surpass100 life-saving rescues this year with opioid counter-agent medicine; provide early intervention to those in need through Social Outreach Programs

September 6, 2018

NEWARK, NJ – On the front lines in the battle against opioids, the New Jersey Transit Police Department has surpassed 100 life-saving rescues this year through the use of naloxone, more commonly known by its brand name Narcan.

Naloxone is a nasal spray used for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose.

 All New Jersey Transit Police Department Officers are trained in the use of Narcan.  Narcan kits are located in every New Jersey Transit Police vehicle and at select NJ TRANSIT stations and terminals.

“New Jersey Transit Police officers have shown time and time again the critical nature of their work,’’ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “They are usually the first to respond when a call comes in about a suspected drug overdose in a transit facility. I’m proud of the quick work our police officers do to save lives.’’

“We’ve seen a 99-percent success rate with the use of Narcan.  While that’s a remarkable number it’s more than just a statistic; these are lives we’re saving,” said New Jersey Transit Police Department Chief Christopher Trucillo.   “Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of opioid-related incidents in and around our stations.  That’s why efforts like our Social Outreach Program connect individuals to the help they need before they begin the life of an opioid user.”

The New Jersey Transit Police Department prevention efforts begin long before the use of Narcan is required.  The early intervention work includes a monthly Social Outreach Program in Atlantic City, Trenton and Camden, with the department’s Community Outreach Officer in the Southern District Gary Denamen playing a role in that coordinated effort. In the Northern District, the department’s Community Outreach Officer Sean Pfeifer helps to connect at-risk individuals with the services they need.

The Social Outreach Program, coordinated by Denamen in South Jersey,  is operated in connection with social service organizations and the judicial system, giving the homeless and at-risk individuals a one-stop location for direct access to services including healthcare, housing, veterans programs, rehabilitation and other critical resources. It also provides the ability to resolve outstanding issues with the judicial system. The Program concept helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and social services to improve the health and well-being of those in need in a community.

Last month, Pfeifer assisted with a “Worthy of Love Event’’ held at MetLife Stadium, where volunteers worked to help connect service providers with 80 at-risk individuals.

As part of this outreach program, all of the participants had the chance to meet with a service provider, receive various personal grooming needs, and listen to a motivational speaker.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 944,000 weekday trips on 251 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

This document and others are available for translation on njtransit.com.