AtlantiCare Foundation Commits $10K to Atlantic County Narcan Supply

Atlantic County's ability to rescue overdose victims from death receives support in the form of a $10,000 grant by the philanthropic arm of AtlantiCare Regional Trauma Center.

The AtlantiCare Foundation committed the funds to County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner's order to equip every patrol officer with Naloxone (Narcan), the overdose antidote credited with hundreds upon hundreds of rescues since its introduction into New Jersey's ongoing heroin crisis.

"We are in the middle of a public health crisis as it pertains to opioid addiction and drug related deaths," Tyner said in prepared comments. "I have stated repeatedly that we cannot arrest our way out of this situation. The important part now is trying to save some lives, and give people an opportunity to get the appropriate treatment."

The initial Naloxone supply is financed with proceeds seized during criminal forfeitures, according to ACPO Chief of Detectives Daren Dooley. The AtlantiCare grant is earmarked to replenish supplies. Foundation representatives said that they look forward to helping to shrink Atlantic County's opiate death rate.

Patrol officers in Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Ventnor, Galloway, Linwood, Hammonton and Stockton University are now equipped. Dooley predicted that within the next month, the supply will be large enough to equip every street officer in Atlantic County's 20 municipal and couhty law enforcement agencies.

Tyner said that his ultimate goal is to reduce the number of times officers find it necessary to administer the antidote, and his directive to county police departments is to ensure that every municipality is prepared.

"Partnerships like this one are vital to complete the mission of saving lives. This is an epidemic afflicting every community, and it does not discriminate. We cannot sit by idly and watch as lives and families are destroyed," Tyner said.

Source: Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office