Riverside Township Police Officers Receive Training to Administer Anti-Overdose Drug
In response to the growing epidemic of heroin and
opiate-based drug overdoses and deaths, the Riverside Township Police have
obtained the anti-overdose drug, Naloxone, also known as Narcan. This drug is administered as a nasal spray to
victims to combat the immediate effects of an opiate-based overdose and to save
lives. The program was approved this
past month for police officers in all 21 counties in New Jersey to be trained
to administer Narcan. The initial issue
of Narcan in Burlington County is being coordinated by the Burlington County
Prosecutor’s Office. Once trained, every
officer with the Riverside Police Department will be able to administer the
drug.
In addition to this program, the State of New Jersey, in May
of 2013, also approved the “Good Samaritan” bill. This bill provides immunity to 911 callers
under most circumstances when they call to report that someone has overdosed so
they will not fear being arrested for drug possession. ANYONE who observes someone they believe is
suffering from an overdose is required to DIAL 9-1-1 and report it immediately.
The Riverside Township Police will continue to hold this
problem as a HIGH priority and will continue to investigate charge and
prosecute anyone who manufactures, sells or distributes heroin, prescription
pills or any other addictive narcotics in and around the township. Citizens are encouraged to continue to assist police with
information on those they believe are distributing narcotics within the
township. Call 856-461-8577 or email at crimetips@riversidepolicenj.org
The “Riverside Police” mobile
App has links to the “Crime Tip” email and phone numbers to contact Detectives. The mobile App also has a “Drug Problem”
hotline link with phone numbers to several agencies to help those suffering
from drug addiction. The App can be downloaded to any iPhone or Android-based phone by navigating to the appropriate App store and searching on "Riverside Police."