A total of 27 fatal overdoses have been recorded since May 2014. Watch video
CAMDEN -- The overdose-reversing anti-opioid medication Narcan has been deployed by Camden County Police Department (CCPD) officers to save the lives of 235 people so far, the department said Thursday.
That total, dating back to May 2014 when it was first issued, makes up just a little less than half of the recorded 483 drug overdoses in the city -- 27 of them being fatal. The announcement comes after a busy September, with officers using the medication to revive five people.
On Sept. 23, the most recent deployment of the medication, two CCPD officers responded to Broadway and Chestnut Avenue where they revived an unconscious man who had used heroin. Another man who was struggling to breathe was found later that day off Broadway and Liberty Street; he too was revived with a dose of Narcan before being transported to Cooper University Hospital.
WATCH: Getting clean in Camden
The police department has issued public safety alerts about the dangers of drug use and has distributed informational cards that encourage anyone witnessing an overdose to call 911. NJ Advance Media accompanied CCPD officers and anti-drug activists on a number of these outreach efforts, which were mostly well-received by those in treatment or seeking help.
Readers with information about drug use or sales are asked to call the department's anonymous tip line at 856-757-7042. Those seeking information about treatment services may visit the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force website at addictions.camdencounty.com. For addiction help, call the CRISIS hotline at 877-266-8222 or call 911 in the event of an emergency.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.