Christie planning expansion of drug treatment pilot program

Gov. Chris Christie plans to expand a drug treatment intervention pilot program that was launched earlier this year.

Christie made the announcement Tuesday after he visited with recovery coaches and patients at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

The state Human Services Department launched the pilot program in January, and services are now being provided in Camden, Essex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties. If the proposed state budget passes, the Republican governor hopes to expand the program into six other counties.

The program provides help for people recovering from drug overdoses. The specialists leading these interventions are often in recovery themselves, and they are deployed to emergency rooms so they can provide guidance, support and referrals for treatment.

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