The Burlington County Commissioners are crediting County support services with helping to bring drug deaths down to the county’s lowest number in close to a decade.
A total of 83 suspected drug deaths were reported in Burlington County last year, according to the preliminary numbers posted by the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner. That represents a 35% reduction from the 128 suspected drug deaths in 2023. It is also Burlington County’s lowest annual death toll since 2014 when 75 drug deaths were reported in the county, according to state data.
“Every drug death is a tragedy we want to avoid, but we are encouraged by the significant decreases reported in Burlington County,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson, liaison to the County Department of Human Services. “This is evidence that programs and initiatives our County has undertaken to dispel stigma and provide support to those in recovery are having an impact and helping to save lives.”
Among the County programs initiated the past 6 years are the creation of the County’s two Peer Recovery Centers. Both centers serve as locations where residents in recovery can receive free support services, wellness activities and information about treatment programs and community resources.
The first Recovery Center opened in 2020 in the Burlington County Human Services Building at 795 Woodlane Road, Westampton. A second center opened in 2022 in Burlington City Hall at 525 High Street, Burlington.
The Recovery Centers are part of Burlington County’s comprehensive response to the substance use disorder crisis.
In addition to the two Recovery Centers, Burlington County launched the Hope One Mobile Outreach unit in 2019. The unit visits destinations throughout Burlington County to offer overdose prevention training and antidote, and makes referrals to recovery services, housing and other resources for residents impacted by substance use disorder or other mental illnesses.
Last year, the County launched a second mobile outreach unit called Hope One for Youth to provide more specialized mental health and substance use prevention services for teens and children.
Some of the other actions Burlington County has taken in response to the substance abuse crisis include the creation of a Regional Opioid Advisory Council to develop recommendations for disbursement of opioid settlement monies the County receives, and distribution of opioid emergency kits to local high schools and libraries. The kits are similar to wall-mounted automated external defibrillator cabinets but contain the overdose antidote Naloxone, also known as Narcan.
More than 230 emergency kits have been distributed so far, and the County has also trained and distributed Narcan to hundreds of first responders.
The Department of Human Services Behavioral Health and Addiction Services Division has also teamed with the Burlington County Traumatic Loss Coalition and YMCA of the Pines in Medford to offer a free day-camp for children impacted by substance use disorder.
“Ensuring first responders, schools, libraries and other public locations are properly-equipped and trained to respond to drug overdoses is a proactive step that ensures that this life-saving drug is available when needed the most,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, the liaison to the County Department of Public Safety. “By working together with our partners, Burlington County is providing help, support and hope to our residents and others on the front lines in the fight against substance use disorder. We’re seeing results and will continue to take proactive steps to save lives.”