According to officials on Friday, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office launched Operation Helping Hand, an initiative that aims to be part of the statewide solution to the opioid epidemic by linking narcotics users with recovery services at the time of the arrest.
Pictured here, a caseworker from the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention & Recovery assists an individual arrested and charged with possession of heroin, providing access to addiction recovery services.
If those arrested successfully complete treatment and participate in drug court, they have the potential to see their current and past drug charges expunged.
Officials say of the eight individuals arrested Friday, six received addiction recovery services and were assigned case managers, one entered an immediate detox treatment program at the Hudson County Correctional Center, and one was transported directly to the JCPD due to an outstanding warrant.
This is the first of several operations planned for municipalities in Hudson County. Additional partners in Friday’s launch included the Jersey City Police Department and Jersey City Medical Center EMS.
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said: “working together with our social services partners and recovery professionals, law enforcement can serve as a bridge between addiction and recovery. If we can save even one life, we have made an impact, but we believe this program will save many lives and help countless others rebuild for a positive future.”