Thank so much to the grassroots and organizational leaders on the ground for sharing their visions for the opioid settlement funds in Atlantic County!
HEALTHCARE
Ocean County Medicaid Stories
Ocean County has a 10.1% uninsured rate. Of the 2022 Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions, 12% of Ocean County residents were uninsured, and 73% had Medicaid. We need Medicaid to end the overdose crisis. Ocean County In 2023, Ocean County had 168 overdose deaths According to the CDC, there were 149 provisional overdose deaths in Ocean Read More »
Where experts say NJ should spend opioid settlement funds
Where experts say NJ should spend opioid settlement funds / NJ Spotlight / June 17, 2025 By Lilo H. Stainton Expand housing-first programs, where sobriety is not a prerequisite for shelter. Integrate harm reduction strategies, like distribution of the opioid-reversal agent naloxone into emergency rooms and community clinics. Train more treatment providers in best-practice strategies Read More »
How should NJ spend its share of national opioid settlement funds?
How should NJ spend its share of national opioid settlement funds? / NJ Spotlight / June 3, 2025 By Lilo H. Stainton Safe housing, as a foundation for a healthier life. Transportation to substance use treatment, support and job programs. Support for families who have lost loved ones to the opioid epidemic. Funding for grassroots Read More »
Atlantic & Cape May County Medicaid Stories
According to the CDC, there were 137 provisional overdose deaths in Atlantic County between September 2023 – September 2024. 13% of Atlantic County residents are uninsured, and 4% of children in Atlantic County are uninsured. As of May 2025 5,842 adults and 20,104 children were on Medicaid. Caitland Carter – Ventnor City, New Jersey 08406 Read More »
Hunterdon County Medicaid Stories
According to the CDC, there were 19 provisional overdose deaths in Hunterdon County between September 2023 – September 2024 Kacey Lee McKown – High Bridge, New Jersey 08829 When I was deeply struggling with Substance use Disorder in 2008, I was guided and helped to be put on Medicaid. I utilized Medicaid for at least Read More »
Sea Change Launches Free Overdose Prevention Program for Little Egg Harbor Residents
Sea Change Launches Free Overdose Prevention Program for Little Egg Harbor Residents / The Sandpaper / May 8, 2025 By Victoria Ford Fentanyl Awareness Day was April 29, so canvassers from Sea Change Recovery Community Organization and Harm Reduction Center have been knocking on doors in Little Egg Harbor to offer free overdose education Read More »
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Momentum Fund
We are honored to be part of the inaugural cohort of grant recipients of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Momentum Fund. The purpose of this grant is to support grassroots organizations like us that are working to advance policy solutions that directly address structural racial inequities in our communities. It’s not always clear that structural Read More »
Medication Assisted Treatment to End Overdose More Important Amidst COVID
Before the coronavirus crisis, another crisis lurked, the overdose crisis. Now the overdose crisis is wrapped inside the COVID-19 crisis. What has that meant for sufferers of substance use disorders? The results have been a decrease in access to in-person recovery and therapy sessions as they transitioned to online, either telemedicine or Zoom meetings. Access Read More »
Meet the Sackler’s by Priscilla Robinson
Since 1999 we’ve lost more than 700,000 Americans to fatal overdose from opioids (1). But how did we get here? Ever heard of Richard, Jonathan, Kathe or Ilene Sackler? They are the family behind Perdue Pharmaceuticals. Still not ringing a bell? How about this: Purdue Pharma is the maker of the highly addictive opioid pain Read More »