Effort underway to help struggling addicts living in Burlington Co. motels

Police, counselors and other specialists were going door-to-door at two motels in the county on Friday.
Friday, September 17, 2021
MOUNT HOLLY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- There's an effort underway to support those who are struggling with addiction in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Police, counselors and other specialists were going door-to-door at the Knights Inn in Mount Laurel and the Motel 6 in Maple Shade on Friday in an attempt to connect people with services to help with substance abuse.
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They're also handing out the overdose reversal drug Narcan and other essential items.

The initiative is called "Operation Safe Overnight," and it was launched in response to a recent uptick in overdose deaths in the county.
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"These overdose figures, especially those over the past three months, are very troubling and underscore the difficulty of reaching someone who is overdosing in a motel room before it is too late," Prosecutor Scott Coffina said.

There have been 12 overdose deaths in county motels since June 1.
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