In September 2024, JSAS HealthCare was awarded funding through a competitive Request for Proposal process by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (NJDMHAS) to establish a mobile medication unit (MMU) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). We expect Project 1st STOP (Safe Treatment and Overdose Prevention) to be fully operational by April 1, 2025.
As supported by the data gathered during the RFP process, JSAS HealthCare (JSASHC’s) Project 1st STOP will target Northern and Western Ocean County and Western Monmouth County’s “hotspots” for drug use, overdose, homelessness, and infectious disease using information from multiple data points and resources.These data points include frequency and location of overdose deaths as reported by the NJ State Police, Drug Monitoring Initiative; and the population’s needs, service utilization, and barriers to care as reported by people who use drugs (PWUD).
JSASHC plans to work in conjunction with the CPC Behavioral Health, Freehold; RWJ Barnabas Institute for Prevention and Recovery – Monmouth Medical South Campus, Lakewood and Hope Shed’s Light, Toms River to serve PWUD via JSAS HealthCare, Inc.’s Project 1st STOP mobile medication and overdose prevention unit.
Primary services provided will include:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (using all FDA-approved medications including methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone).
- Opioid Overdose Education and Prevention (including how to recognize an opioid overdose, the administration of Narcan/naloxone, and treatment options.
- Harm Reduction Services (including safe use and wound care kits, education and referral).
JSASHC will identify other Ocean/Monmouth County municipalities most in need and expand services to best meet the needs of the populations of Ocean and Monmouth Counties. We will consider overdose deaths, data from local harm reduction centers and ERs, epidemiologic data around Hepatitis C and HIV, population density and proximity to public transit. Matching these data points will help to determine the best potential locations to serve individuals within each municipality. In addition, there are no or limited “bricks and mortar” Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) within the vicinity of the locations chosen. All services will be provided free of charge.
