Drug abuse is a serious problem that affects almost every community and family. Each year, drug abuse causes millions of serious illnesses or injuries among Americans. The New York Times reports that the opioid epidemic is the leading cause of death in Americans under the age of 50. As a community, we need to be proactive in dealing with addiction and mental health issues as they impact all of us and do not discriminate based on sex, race, religion or social status.
Several years ago, in an effort to address the opioid epidemic, the Voorhees Township Committee partnered with the Voorhees Township Police Department, the Camden County Municipal Court System and Camden County to implement Project S.A.V.E. (Substance Abuse Visionary Effort).
Project SAVE is a voluntary substance abuse treatment referral and intervention strategy for municipal court defendants arrested for non-violent crimes to receive counseling. The program connects defendants suffering with addiction to information and options for assessment and/or treatment. The County has enteredinto a contract with a firm to provide professional drug and alcohol counseling advocates. The SAVE advocate acts as a liaison between the court, the defendant and the treatment providers. The goal is to provide intervention to nonviolent offenders by addressing the underlying issues that have led them to substance use. Statistics have shown that a significant number of our municipal court defendants suffer from drug and/or alcohol addiction, which has contributed to the defendant’s commission of nonviolent crimes. Project SAVE is being implemented throughout Camden County municipal courts with the County assuming the costs for the program.
In a further effort to address mental health and addiction issues, the County has implemented a new special needs registry. The Camden County Special Needs Registry (SNR) is a no-cost, voluntary service that is open to all persons with special needs who live, work or attend school in Camden County.
The SNR was created to help police officers and other first responders assist our residents who may need additional or special assistance in the event of emergency. Special needs are very broadly defined for purposes of the SNR. Examples of special needs include but are not limited to mental health issues,mobility issues, developmental/intellectual disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder and many more. Individuals can register themselves for the SNR or be registered be a caretaker, family member or loved one. Questions about the program and training tutorial may be directed to Lt. Fawn Landay at landayf@ccprosecutor.org
For more Mental Health and Addiction programs, visit camdencounty.com/service/mental-health-and-addiction/addictions; or call NJ Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services at 609-292-5760.
** The Animal Welfare Association’s Paws & Feet 5K and Doggie Fun Day is Saturday, May 6 from 9am to 2pm at the Voorhees Town Center. AWA is celebrating their 25th Paws & Feet and will be kicking off their 75th anniversary year. For more information, visit: https://www.awanj.org/paws-and-feet-5k-run-walk-doggie-fun-day/
** The Voorhees Township Arts Commission is hosting a Candlelight Concert featuring the South Garden Strings Quartet on Saturday, May 6 at 8pm in the Town Center Mall. Tickets are available for purchase via Eventbrite https://classics-by-candlelight.eventbrite.com . The tickets are priced at $25 per person or $40 per couple. For more information, contact Jennifer Gaffney at (856) 882-5342.
** The Voorhees Township Police Foundation Car Show is on May 20 from 11am to 3pm at the Town Center. Show entry is from Laurel Road between Echelon Road and Burnt Mill Road. Entry fee is $20 the day of the show with no pre-registration. For more information, contact Lt. Derek Hawkins at 856-627-5858 x1116.
