Reimagining the First Responder Model in Newark, NJ
New Jersey overdose deaths increased from 2020 to 2021 despite New Jersey’s investment of hundreds of millions of dollars over the last few years to “fight” the opioid epidemic.
The City of Newark has some of the highest overdose rates in the state and, like the rest of NJ, has seen rising numbers of overdose deaths within the Black community. Black men between the ages of 45 and 64 years old are particularly vulnerable to overdose deaths. These deaths happened while the state invested into treatment and law enforcement initiatives rather than community-based, harm reduction programs.
To reach the NCST ORT Mon-Fri (9am-5pm), dial 833-254-6278.
The Newark Community Street Team is partnering with University Hospital to provide a community-led response to overdose emergency calls in Newark, NJ.
The Overdose Response Team intends to:
- Reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses
- Reduce health and social harms to people who use drugs and their communities
- Improve use of harm reduction services
- Reduction of arrests associated with overdose events
NCST’s Overdose Response Team has two Outreach Workers who co-respond to overdose calls with University Hospital EMS twice a week. The team will revive these individuals, provide them with harm reduction supplies and education, and seek to engage them in short-term care coordination services.
The Overdose Response team will follow up with these individuals in the community the other three days of the week to address their health and social needs.