The effort coalesces police, school, township and faith-based resources to aid those struggling with addiction.
WEST WINDSOR -- Taking the lead from Robbinsville, which launched a township program this past summer, West Windsor has announced they took have also started a CARE - or Community Addiction Recovery Effort.
The effort coalesces police, school, township and faith-based resources to aid those struggling with addiction with treatment - particularly opioid and heroin - starting at the time of arrest.
"When the West Windsor Police Department is faced with suspects arrested in the township for the possession of, or under the influence of, a dangerous substance, CARE. kicks in," the group said in a statement.
"This program will enable police officers to offer a pathway to recovery by providing resources, access to treatment, and guidance from a trained addiction recovery coach," the statement said.
West Windsor Police will provide the recovery coach and the person struggling with addiction with a safe, private setting to discuss the process of getting the help needed to begin the recovery process, the group said.
Robbinsville rolls out new addiction effort
"In providing the tools to help those in need of assistance, and with the help of clinically trained organizations, a clear path to recovery will be presented," West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said in lauding the program.
David Aderhold, superintendent of the West Windsor-Plainsboro schools, also put his support behind the program. "We will continue to partner with police, the Municipal Alliance, and other organizations to offer services and guidance with the assistance of our professional staff members."
West Windsor CARE will officially kick off Wed. Oct. 26 at a dinner celebration at Mercer Oaks Catering, 725 Village Road West in West Windsor, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
More information about the program, or attending the dinner, is available from Diana Dubbs at ddubbs@recovery-advocates.org or West Windsor police Lt. Matthew Kemp at kemp@westwindsorpolice.com.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.