The numbers are alarming, and not just nationally, but right here in Warren County.  

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 30.5 million Americans aged 12 and older were considered “current users” of illicit drugs with more than 19 million of them considered to have a substance use disorder related to their use of alcohol or illicit drugs in the previous year. Overdose deaths continue to plague the country, and Warren County. 

In response to this growing concern at the national and local levels, Warren County government and law enforcement agencies have teamed with a Washington-based non-profit, Parent 2 Parent Addiction Services, Inc., to launch the brand new Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) Program.  The program, serving those struggling with addiction, officially launches on Thursday, February 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Washington Township Municipal Building, 211 Route 31 in Washington.  

“I have been witness to lives lost or ruined by the disease of addiction both personally and professionally,” said Warren County Sheriff James McDonald. “I support any program that has the potential to lead those so afflicted to the road to recovery. We have been fighting the supply side for decades, but it is futile unless we eradicate the demand.”  

“This is a crisis that we must continue to meet head-on,” added Jason Sarnoski, Warren County Freeholder. ”The C.L.E.A.R. program is another step in the right direction.” 

Sponsored by the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, Washington Township Police, Mansfield Township Police, Blairstown Township Police, and Parent 2 Parent Addiction Services, Inc., C.L.E.A.R. creates a network of professionals within the community with a common goal: to offer free recovery assistance to any individual wanting to go Straight To Treatment for a substance use disorder and support for their loved ones  through the process 

Those seeking assistance with their substance use can take advantage of new walk-in hours starting on February 27^th temporarily held at the Washington Township Municipal Building at 211 Route 31 in Washington.  There a Parent to Parent Recovery Coach will do an assessment and through a partnership of clinicians will decide on level of care needed on a case by case basis, including detox, residential care, outpatient services and follow-up with aftercare and sober living. 

Help can also be attained by calling 908-223-1951 for an appointment with Parent to Parent Addiction Services, 325B West Washington Ave., Washington.  As the word gets out, the program will expand its locations throughout the county and add more days and times.  Anyone who asks for assistance will be helped regardless of residency or having insurance.   

Modeled on the successful Sussex and Union County programs of the same name, the Warren County program’s ultimate goal is to SAVE LIVES and get people quickly into treatment and maintain proper support for the individual and their family throughout the recovery process.  

Helen Carey and Debi Natale, Co-Directors of Parent to Parent Addiction Services are excited to start this much needed program in Warren County.  “The more people learn about it the larger the impact will be.  Recovery is possible with the proper treatment and we are hopeful that people will take advantage of going straight to treatment and start reclaiming their lives.”   

Daytime walk-in locations will be changing.  Please call Parent to Parent Addiction Services at 908-223-1951 for location updates and any additional program information.  Location updates can also be found on the following Facebook Pages: Blairstown Police Department, Mansfield Township Police Department, Washington Township Police Department, and StopHeroinNJ/Parent to Parent Addiction Services. 

Photo left to right, Tom Cicerelle, Chief of Washington Township, Warren County Acting Prosecutor James Pfeiffer, Warren County Freeholder Jason Sarnoski, Parent 2 Parent’s Debi Natale and Helen Carey, Chief Michael Reilly, Mansfield Township, Chief Scott Johnsen, Blairstown, and Warren County Sheriff James McDonald.