Mercer county is home to 387,430 residents within 12 municipalities, including the city of trenton which serves as the state capital and county seat

The County of Mercer received a $1,235,691 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.838 - Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Other Substances Use Program) to address substance/opioid use disorder (S/OUD) in its community. The 3-year grant, which commenced on October 1, 2024, will fund four distinct programs:

1. The 24/7 Operations Program will expand and sustain 24/7 deflection and diversion operations for law enforcement and first responders, providing peer recovery specialists 24/7. 2) The Mercer CARES Program will conduct high-visibility bi-monthly outreach events to connect the S/OUD population and their families with resources to support a sober lifestyle. 3) The Delivering Resources for Opioid Prevention (DROP) Team will respond to suspected overdose locations within 48 hours to deliver resource information and additional naloxone, while attempting referrals to recovery coaching services. 4) The Straight to Treatment Program will enable those with S/OUD to enter treatment at designated law enforcement agencies on their own accord.

This data-driven implementation with external analysis will prompt a systematic shift in supporting the substance/opioid use disorder (s/OUD) community by reducing the impact of illicit opioids, stimulants, and other substances. This will be accomplished by connecting the s/OUD population and their families with expanded access and opportunities to enter evidence-based treatment, referrals to support resources and treatment, education, and lifesaving supplies. This project will serve the entire county and support four distinct programs. The 24/7 operations program will ensure the expansion and sustainability of 24/7 deflection and diversion operations for law enforcement and other first responders while offering peer recovery specialists 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The mercer cares program will provide high visibility BI-monthly outreach events with partners who support the s/OUD community, including first responders, and social, civic, medical, mental health, and other support groups/entities. These partners will connect the s/OUD community with resources to support a sober lifestyle. The delivering resources for opioid prevention team (drop team) will establish an opioid prevention response team. Drop team members will respond to any known location of a suspected overdose to deliver resource information and additional naloxone to families within 48 hours of occurrence and attempt a referral to recovery coaching services at the time of response. The straight to treatment program will enable those who suffer from s/OUD to walk into designated law enforcement agencies at pre-determined days/times, to allow them to enter coaching and/or treatment whenever they are ready and willing, on their own accord.