About Us
Last year, 156 people died of an overdose in Atlantic County. Atlantic County consistently ranks among the highest of New Jersey counties in the most overdose deaths per capita.
The New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program has identified Atlantic County as having the 3rd highest opioid prescription rate. In 2023, 145,250 opioid prescriptions were dispensed in Atlantic County, which has an estimated population of 274,534 people.
The mission of the Atlantic County Overdose Fatality Review Team (OFRT) is to prevent future deaths from drug overdose through a process of reviewing overdose fatalities to identify gaps in public systems and social services that might have made a difference.
As a result of these reviews, our team has focused on harm reduction. Our goal is to increase awareness of:
- Naloxone/Narcan
- The dangers of Fentanyl and Xylazine
- Other harm reduction strategies including drug testing strips
- Resources to get well and for family members
- Stigma associated with Substance Use Disorder
Over Prevention Act – “Good Samaritan Law”
The New Jersey Overdose Prevention Act of 2013, also known as the Good Samaritan Law, encourages people to seek medical assistance when someone is overdosing without fear of arrest.
Witnesses and victims are protected from arrest, charge, prosecution, conviction, and revocation of parole or probation for possession or use of illegal drugs. (P.L. 2013, c.46)
And, a person who administers naloxone shall not, as a result of the person’s acts or omissions, be subject to any criminal or civil liability for administering an Opioid antidote in accordance with the act. (Section C.24:6J-4b)