TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently awarded $200,000 in preliminary four-month contracts to five non-profit organizations working to combat the opioid epidemic.
The funds come from legal settlements with drug companies and distributors linked to the national opioid crisis with the first round allocated through the end of 2024. If these programs are extended for two additional years, the non-profits could receive a total of $1.2 million.
“These awards amount to $600,000 annually,” said Dr. Jamie Busch, Assistant Director of Ocean County Human Services. The contracts began in September and cover an initial four-month period, with the option to renew for two more years.”
The Ocean County Opioid Advisory Council (OCOAC) recommended certain non-profits for funding based on their treatment, prevention, and harm reduction strategies.
Bright Harbor Healthcare: This organization received the largest share, with $133,300 for the last quarter of 2024, and $400,000 annually if extended. Bright Harbor plans to establish a Recovery Café and a Young People in Recovery (YPR) Chapter to foster peer support for long-term recovery. They will also provide harm reduction kits at various locations and offer medication-assisted treatment. Their services, including a confidential hotline and after-hours appointments, will target Ocean County residents aged 14 and older.
Hope Sheds Light: Awarded $31,300, this non-profit is building on its overdose response initiatives with targeted outreach in communities experiencing high overdose rates, such as Toms River, Seaside Heights, and Brick. Their outreach teams will educate the public on drug trends and provide harm reduction tools like Narcan. Hope Sheds Light also offers case management to help individuals transitioning from detox or inpatient treatment into sober living. Their funding could increase to $94,000 annually if extended.
Sea Change Recovery Community Organization: This organization received $24,000 for outreach efforts in the southern part of Ocean County, Sea Change focuses on engaging people where they are through street outreach and virtual services. They partner with Bright Harbor for harm reduction and recovery services in areas such as Waretown and Little Egg Harbor. If extended, they could receive $72,000 annually.
Preferred Behavioral Health: Awarded $7,400 for the four-month period, this nonprofit is eligible for $22,000 per year if extended. Preferred Behavioral Health will use the HIPAA-compliant CaredFor software to track client recovery, helping them engage with support services and reach their treatment goals.
Lakewood Community Services Corporation: Granted $4,000, this organization is focusing on outreach to the Orthodox Jewish community, where substance abuse is highly stigmatized. Their efforts will raise awareness of a new outpatient substance abuse treatment program and provide referrals through partnerships with religious institutions, schools and community organizations. The funding could extend to $12,000 annually.
The OCOAC plays a key role in overseeing the distribution of opioid settlement funds and making recommendations for local programs. The council includes leaders such as Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, Business Administrator Michael Fiure, Assistant Business Administrator T.J. Collins, Comptroller Julie N. Tarrant, and members of the Ocean County Department of Human Services, including Dr. Tracy Maksel and Dr. Jamie Busch. Kimberly L. Reilly MA, LPC, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Unit Coordinator and members of several non-profit organizations also sit on the advisory council.
National Opioid Settlement
Ocean County is set to receive $27 million over 18 years as part of nationwide opioid settlements. Companies involved in the settlements include Teva, Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. Municipalities with over 10,000 residents are also eligible to receive a portion of these funds.
The lawsuits alleged that these companies engaged in misleading marketing campaigns, downplaying the risks of addiction while promoting opioids as safe and effective for pain management. These practices contributed to the widespread opioid epidemic, resulting in a public health crisis across the country.
As a result of the court settlements, government entities are authorized to use the funds to address the public health problems caused by opioids. These costs include medical care, drug treatment, law enforcement, and other emergency services.
County Opioid Crisis
According to data from the state attorney general’s office, 168 people in Ocean County were suspected of dying from drug overdoses in 2023, a decrease from 186 in 2022. Overdose deaths were substantially higher in 2021, with 242 reported deaths.
From January to July 2024, there were 66 suspected overdose deaths in Ocean County. Narcan (naloxone) was administered 301 times during this period, compared to 677 times throughout 2023.
Ocean County also topped the state in opioid prescriptions, with 160,034 issued in 2023, outpacing larger counties like Bergen and Essex.
