COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced roll out of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office’s Community Outreach Unit’s mobile vehicle, “HopeOne – Cape May County.”
According to a release, Sutherland is honored to partner with Cape May County Department of Human Services, Cape Assist Center for Addiction Recovery Education and Success, Cape Counseling Behavioral Healthcare Services, Cape Addiction Recovery Services (CARES), and Access to Reproductive Care and HIV Services (ARCH). HopeOne will travel periodically during each month to locations throughout Cape May County and bring addiction services to persons in need.
HopeOne will be staffed by a county detective, licensed clinician, certified peer recovery specialist and ARCH nurse who understand the needs of those suffering with addiction. HopeOne will be able to provide clients immediate access to services and treatment facilities, putting them on the road to recovery and wellness prior to having contact with law enforcement and even avoiding overdose, which sadly too often results in death.
In addition, training for Naloxone (referred to as Narcan) will be administered on site by ARCH nurses employed by South Jersey Aids Alliance and kits will be provided to family members and friends of those suffering with opioid addiction upon completion of this training. The Public Defender’s Office has agreed to assist by addressing any outstanding warrants or other legal matters that may act as a perceived barrier to certain clients in need of recovery services.
HopeOne will park and set up refreshments in an effort to encourage those in need of services to approach the vehicle. The vehicle is intended to provide a comfortable, stigma-free setting, which will allow the outreach program to effectively make contact with and provide services to individuals who have had difficulty navigating the journey of accessing appropriate services. The goal is to provide services to clients prior to them having contact with law enforcement and the Criminal Justice System or worse, overdosing from these dangerous drugs.
The new approach delivers help in a unique way, blending law enforcement and social services to bring hope into communities. This outreach program will allow for more interaction with people on the street and the ability to connect with individuals suffering from addiction in different communities throughout Cape May County.
The Prosecutor’s Office was able to acquire the vehicle and begin Project – HopeOne through the generosity of the Cape May County Freeholders, according to the release.
Sutherland stated that HopeOne will roll out for the first time June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will be set up in the parking lot of Wawa, located at the intersection of Bayshore and Fulling Mill roads in Villas.
Cape May – Last week I witnessed a woman helping a man who seemed to be having difficulty getting up in the water. the next thing I saw was she also was injured. My Uber ride was there to take me to the…
