Leaving class during lunch to score was just part of being addicted.
RUNNEMEDE -- Although the goal is to never have to use it, Black Horse Pike Regional School District officials on Wednesday announced intentions to equip nurses across three schools with the anti-opioid medication naloxone.
The model policy -- which Camden County officials hope is picked up by every school district in the state -- was rolled out at Triton Regional High School and lauded by alumni who battled addiction while students there.
"This is groundbreaking," said Blackwood resident Justin Wroblewski, 23, who readily admitted that he came from a "good household" and "good parents."
However, percocet pills his father had on hand due to a back injury led to Wroblewski's experimentation by age 17.
"I barely graduated high school. I dropped out of college after two weeks ... I used to leave school during lunch and gym and go to Camden [to buy drugs]," he said.
He's clean now and singing the praises of Wednesday's announcements made in conjunction with county freeholders, the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force and local law enforcement.
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"We are hopeful we never have to use it," Black Horse Pike Superintendent Dr. Brian Repici said of the medication that can immediately revive someone suffering an opioid overdose in just seconds.
The school district is comprised of about 3,800 students across Triton, Highland and Timber Creek high schools. The kits, which each contain two doses of the antidote and can cost approximately $600, have a shelf-life of about 18 months
Officials said the district will pay for the kits and hopes to have six in every school. Partnerships with law enforcement agencies may help cut the total cost of purchase, officials added.
John Barnett, a Triton student counselor, explained that he'll work to identify students suspected of substance abuse or any other at-risk factors and determine a course of action to correct it.
"It might take a little while," Barnett said of working to isolate causes of concern at home or with friends.
According to recently released data from the New Jersey Medical Examiner's Office, Camden County saw 115 fatal heroin overdoses in 2015. That's up from 91 in 2014. Fentanyl -- a prescription opioid far more powerful than heroin -- was attributed to 53 deaths in 2015, according to state data that shows it was responsible for a mere 12 in 2014.
In all, 191 people died from heroin or fentanyl overdoses in Camden County in 2015. Ocean, Essex and Monmouth counties came close, with 157, 146 and 122 deaths, respectively. Late last year, high schools across Ocean County took the first steps in New Jersey toward equipping nurses and staff with Narcan.
Triton nurse Christa Moore called the antidote the "latest addition" to their tool box.
"This can save lives," Moore said.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.