Chatham Police Officers Awarded For Preventing Overdose

CHATHAM, NJ — A Chatham Township resident survived an overdose thanks to the efforts of two Chatham Township police officers, and the department took the time to recognize them.

The Chatham Township Police Department recently took the time to publically honor both Sgt. Anthony LoPorto and Officer Nicholas Giordano, who both aided in the rescue of a Chatham resident.

According to Police Chief Thomas Miller, the identity of the resident is being withheld from the media due to confidentiality reasons surrounding the incident.

LoPorto and Giordano responded to a township residence on Sept. 9 for an unresponsive resident. When the officers arrived on the scene, they discovered that the victim was suffering from an overdose.

"As a result of their quick actions, quick deployment of Nasal Narcan and with the assistance of the Chatham Emergency Squad, the victim regained consciousness," police said.

The two officers were thanked for their efforts and presented with an official "Life Saving Award" from the township.

Drug overdose remains a problem in both the United States and New Jersey, but Morris County is on track to have the fewest suspected drug overdose deaths in years, indicating some relief from an opioid epidemic exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis.

According to officials, Morris County's community response to addiction over the years, via numerous nonprofits and county programs such as Hope One, Navigating Hope, and a "Stigma Free" campaign, appears to have had a positive impact.

"As of right now in Morris County, we’ve had 71 suspected fatal overdoses so far this year – that’s a 16 percent decrease," Morris County Sheriff James Gannon said. "We’ve had a decrease in suicides and a decrease in fatal overdoses. It could change on a dime."

The county's Hope One initiative team offers free Narcan instruction and supplies, counseling for substance abuse and mental health issues, and even transportation to detox and rehab facilities in areas with a high rate of overdoses, homeless people and hand-to-hand drug dealing.

The van stops in different communities every couple of weeks, but its full schedule can be found here.