Westwood PD Seeks To Help Those Facing Heroin Addiction

WESTWOOD, NJ - Westwood police department has joined forces with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and Children's Aid and Family Services to offer treatment to heroin addicts who want help but are worried about being arrested or faces other consequences.

Through the Heroin Addiction Recovery Team (HART) program, individuals facing addiction can come to police headquarters to be connected with a specialist who can help them in their recovery.

Related: Westwood, Hillsdale: New Heroin Abuse Data Released

The service is available to anyone, regardless of whether they live in Bergen County, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the department said. Westwood Police Department is located at 101 Washington Avenue.

"We are working to end the stigma attached to addiction and are working to save lives," Chief Michael Pontillo said on the department's Facebook page. "Help is always available and someone's life could depend on it."

According to Elizabeth Rebein, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, the county is working to expand the program right now and HART currently exists at Mahwah Police, Paramus Police and Lyndhurst Police.

The programs in Paramus and Mahwah are run in partnership with CarePlus NJ, while Westwood and Lyndhurst have partnered with Children's Aid and Family Services, she said.

HART was launched in 2017 when Gurbir S. Grewal served as Bergen County's prosecutor as a way to combat the growing epidemic of heroin and opioid addiction. HART is one of three components of the county's efforts to address the problem. The county has also implemented "innovative criminal enforcement" and educational programming to help prevent individuals from becoming addicted to heroin and opioids.

"All county law enforcement interacting with persons suffering from addiction shall be compassionate, professional and understanding at all times. Many times people suffering from addiction ask for help only as a last resort and may be considering self-harm. Professional law enforcement interaction can make a difference," the prosecutor's office said.

According to the prosecutor's office directive, services are available for any substance abuse-related concern, there's no need to schedule an appointment and individuals can turn in drug paraphernalia without being arrested. However, anyone with an outstanding warrant will have to clear that matter up first before coming in.