Camden County Drug Program Looks To Go Beyond Narcan

By David Madden

CINNAMINSON, N.J. (CBS) - Camden County officials have unveiled a new program targeting drug addicts saved from overdoses on the street, in hopes of getting them cleaned up for good.

Freeholders used a police awards ceremony in Cinnaminson to unveil Operation SAL, short for "Save A Life."

Narcan can bring an overdose victim back from the brink, but avoiding a repeat occurrence takes some effort. So staffers at four hospitals in the county will get special training.

"When someone is given a Narcan treatment and taken to the emergency room," freeholder director Lou Cappellli tells KYW Newsradio, "employees in the emergency room will try to direct the individuals who had the Narcan treatment to a treatment provider."

That provider -- Delaware Valley Medical in Pennsauken -- will follow up with an intensive outpatient treatment plan, although some will be placed in local facilities if needed as beds become available.

A similar program in Ocean County uses counselors to provide overdose patients with treatment options.