Little Egg Joins Prosecutor's Blue HART Drug Recovery Program

LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ - The Little Egg Harbor police department is now a part of project Blue HART, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office's drug recovery assistance program.

Little Egg is the seventh police department in Ocean County to participate in the program, spokesman Al Della Fave said.

"Little Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Richard Buzby has successfully prepared his department to join Brick Township, Lacey Township, Manchester Township, Ocean Gate, Point Pleasant Borough and Stafford Township Police in providing critical addiction recovery help," he said.

Now substance abusers in Little Egg can turn themselves in to any one of the participating police department to get addiction treatment, without any threat of charges or jail, Della Fave said.

The “Blue HART” program, which began on Jan. 9, 2017 under the name HARP (Heroin Addiction Response Program), was the first of its kind law enforcement addiction help program in New Jersey.

The Little Egg Harbor police department quietly began its program in mid-February to fine-tune their operation. The department will collaborate Ocean Mental Health Services in Manahawkin and Bayville.

"I applaud the participating police department’s proactive efforts and eagerness to help those in their communities fight this tragic epidemic," Coronato said. "Since January, “Blue HART” has helped over 300 individuals to successfully fight the curse of addiction. I cannot thank enough Behavioral Health, Integrity House and Ocean Mental Health for their generous commitment to the people of Ocean County in making our vision a reality. Our county leads the state in providing lifesaving options to those fighting and seeking addiction help.”

The Lacey, Ocean Gate and Stafford police departments work with Ocean Mental Health. The Brick police department has partnered with Preferred Behavioral Health in Lakewood and the Manchester police department works with Integrity House in Toms River.

Help is now available at Ocean Gate and Lacey police departments on Monday, at Little Egg Harbor, Point Pleasant Borough and Stafford police departments on Tuesday, the Manchester police department on Wednesday or the Brick police department on Thursday for those who need immediate critical help in fighting drug addiction.

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