Mercer Council Participates in Inaugural Open Access To Recovery Outreach Event!

On Friday November 5th, 2021 Mercer Council was honored to participate in the inaugural "Open Access To Recovery" (OATR) outreach event. This event was organized by Recovery Advocates of America and the Mercer County Operation Helping Hand Program (OHH) under the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. OHH offers those arrested for non-violent drug-related offenses alternatives to incarceration if they are willing to seek and complete SUD treatment.

Participants included: Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, Mercer OHH, Trenton PD, Recovery Advocates, Mercer Council/OORP, Oaks Integrated Care, Catholic Charities, Iron Wellness, Hyacinth, Hoving Home, AFAR Sober Living, Trenton Health Team, Recovery is Essential, and Living Proof Coaching Services LLC.

Six pre-reserved detox/treatment beds were allocated for the event by New Hope Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, Turning Point, Integrity House, and Discovery Institute.

At least 300 people walked through the lot during the course of the event.

Mercer Council distributed 20 care bags with OORP and Catholic Charities collateral, 11 Narcan kits (with training), and more than 50 Fentanyl Test strips (with training). We were able to use the event to place an OORP program client seen at Capital Health the night before directly into treatment.

Five total participants were linked/placed and immediately sent to treatment including transportation:

1. Female/Opiates - sent to New Hope for Detox/Treatment followed by Long Term at Hoving Home.

2. Male/Alcohol - sent to Integrity House for Long Term.

3. Female/Cocaine/Opiates/Alcohol - sent to New Hope.

4. Male/Opiates/Methadone/Other - sent to Turning Point (detox) and Integrity House (long term).

5. Male/Alcohol/Other - sent to Discovery Institute.

Over 20 clients were linked with harm reduction services including health checks, STD/HIV screenings, etc.

There were 3 separate police "panhandling sweep" drop-offs, totaling 12 people, and although many refused services, at least one was linked to Oaks for MAT/IOP.

Over 400 coats were distributed to event participants.

Overall, the event was a stunning success. Participants expressed their amazement at the number of organizations that pulled together to participate and actively help them to reach their recovery goals. Stay tuned for additional OATR Outreach Events in the coming months.