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--- Document: Resolution Formalizing the Creation of an Opioid Task Force Know as "A Way Out” Document ---
TOWNSHIP OF LONG HILL
RESOLUTION 18-088
RESOLUTION FORMALIZING THE CREATION OF AN OPIOID TASK
FORCE KNOWN AS "A WAY OUT"
WHEREAS, more than 33,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2015
according to the United States Center for Disease Control; and
WHEREAS, that number increased to 42,249 deaths in 2016, which was five
times the number of opioid-related deaths in 1999; and
WHEREAS, fatal opioid overdoses in Morris County rose from 43 in 2015 to 64
in 2016 and exceeded that number in 2017; and
WHEREAS, no community is immune from the opioid scourge; and
WHEREAS, the Township formed an Opiate Task Force known as "A Way Out"
in 2017 after Morris County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury spoke to Long Hill
Township residents in April; and
WHEREAS, “A Way Out" seeks to connect those affected by opiate abuse with
local, county and state resources to get them the help that they need; and
WHEREAS, “A Way Out”, in conjunction with the Prosecutor's Office, is
responsible for the installation of a prescription medication drop box in the Township
Police Department lobby; and
WHEREAS, Officer-in-Charge Ahmed Naga of the Long Hill Township Police
Department has noted that the policing of drug abuse in recent years has shifted emphasis
from criminalization to treatment; and
WHEREAS, “A Way Out" is following the lead of the County Prosecutor's
Office and other agencies which have sought to reduce the stigma associated with drug
abuse; and
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WHEREAS, "A Way Out" seeks to address the crisis locally through four central
initiatives: education, detection, prevention and recovery; and
WHEREAS, the task force has met with School Superintendent Edwin Acevedo
and other school district professionals to discuss opiate awareness efforts in the
Township's K-8 school system;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the
Township of Long Hill in the County of Morris, State of New Jersey, as follows:
1.
The creation of the opioid task force known as "A Way Out"
which is described in the preamble is hereby formalized.
2. The members of the task force shall be appointed by the Township
Committee and shall include various constituencies within the Township.
3.
The term of each member shall be one year, commencing on
January 1 and ending December 31 in the year of appointment.
Adopted by Township Committee on February 28, 2018.
I, Deborah Brooks, Township Clerk of the Township of Long Hill, County of Morris, State of New
Jersey, hereby certify this to be a true copy of a resolution adopted by the Township Committee
on February 28, 2018.
Deborah Brooks, RMC
Township Clerk
INTRODUCED
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SECONDED COMMITTEE
AYE NAY ABSTAIN ABSENT
DORSI
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MERINGOLO
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PISERCHIA
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RAE
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SCHULER
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