Westfield Police Save Another Resident From Near Drug Overdose

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Police Department announced Friday that they are "tremendously concerned" with the rising trend of drug use within the community.

Officers John Swiderski and Joseph Natale revived a 43-year-old male on Jan. 12 by administering 4 mg Naloxene through the man's nose. This is the fourth time officers have had to use Naloxene to revive someone since Jan. 1 of this year.

It was also Natale's second overdose save in the last seven days.

The Westfield Police Department posted to their Facebook page that residents who know someone who needs help with an opioid addiction can contact Operation Helping Hand. This is a five-day law enforcement sweep that links those arrested for possessing opioids with recovery services at the time of their arrest.

According to Union County's website, in the last five years more than 500 people have died in the county due to the opioid epidemic. Law enforcement officers realized that simply arresting people was not the solution to the crisis and that creating a program like Operation Helping Hand would address the problem more directly.

The program is run through the Union County Prosecutor's Office and is available 24/7/365.

Those who are suffering from addiction can call Operation Helping Hand at 1-855-825-3275.

Visit Westfield Police Department's website for other important updates.

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