In recent years, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office has sponsored a program called “Straight …To Treatment,” developed to help those dealing with addiction and substance abuse.
The office partnered up with a number of police departments in the county to have a representative from the program come in once a week to offer services. In recent weeks, the township police department has joined the effort, spearheaded by officer Kevin Pfeffer and rolled out last Friday.
“I had the full support of Chief James Mitchell and Cpt. Matt Gasper for getting Delran involved,” Pfeffer said. “It’s a sign from us that we’re here to help out our residents or anyone out there who is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction.”
Pfeffer has been involved in “Straight …To Treatment” for the better part of a year and has seen it successfully implemented in other towns. The program enables those struggling with drug abuse issues to speak with a program representative and go directly to a treatment facility.
For any individual wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant or facing similar circumstances, “Straight … To Treatment” will help them get new court dates so they can enter a treatment facility.
“They can enter our station without fear of getting arrested,” Pfeffer noted. “From there, they can turn over any kind of narcotics that they do have without fear of being arrested as well.”
After an initial intake and a conversation with a ‘Straight …To Treatment’ representative, an individual is sent straight to treatment, no insurance required. Delran’s representative will be at the police department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday for the foreseeable future.
“We hope to help anybody who is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction,” Pfeffer said. “We would like to see as many people that are struggling come to us for help, so that we can provide them with the right resources to get them help and to help straighten their lives out.”
The police department has already addressed the treatment program at previous community outreach events and at a recent township council meeting. For more information, visit the police department’s Facebook page.
