The Essex County Board of Commissioners held a live meeting on March 6, 2024, focusing on community health initiatives, particularly addressing substance use disorders and mental health challenges in the region. The meeting featured discussions on a mobile outreach program in collaboration with Integrity House, aimed at providing essential services such as substance use screenings, mental health assessments, Narcan distribution, and referrals to treatment services.

Christopher Rojas, the program manager at Integrity House, presented an overview of the outreach efforts, highlighting the distribution of lifeline bags containing resources for mental health and substance use support. He noted the importance of engaging with the community, particularly youth, to provide education on the risks associated with substance use, including the dangers of vaping and marijuana use, especially following its legalization.

Commissioner Mary Thomas inquired about the trends in substance use among young people, expressing concern over the rising exposure to dangerous drugs. Rojas acknowledged the increasing challenges, particularly in areas like Nutley, where the proximity to high schools allows for greater interaction with teenagers. He emphasized the importance of providing resources and support to help youth make informed decisions about their health.

Joel Torres from the Division of Community Health Services added context to the discussion, explaining the ongoing collaboration with various community partners to address substance use issues. He mentioned the use of a nationwide alert system to track overdose incidents, which helps target outreach efforts in areas experiencing high rates of substance use.

The meeting also addressed the availability of Narcan, a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Torres confirmed that Narcan is distributed for free through the outreach program and emphasized the importance of training community members on its use. He noted that New Jersey law requires high schools to have Narcan available in nurse's offices, ensuring that schools are prepared to respond to potential overdose situations.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to tackling substance use disorders through proactive outreach, education, and community collaboration, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations, particularly youth. The commissioners expressed gratitude for the efforts of those involved in these critical health initiatives and emphasized the need for continued support and resources to combat the ongoing challenges posed by substance use in Essex County.