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1. What is the program about?

The C.A.R.E.  initiative is a network of community stakeholders who will facilitate education, prevention and improve access to treatment and recovery support for those struggling with drug addiction. The program ensures help for those seeking assistance without fear of arrest or prosecution.

2. How do you plan on educating the community?

• Police led programs in schools such as DARE, #NEO
• Publicly Accessible Community Conversation Forums
• Handheld brochures/literature
• Webpage on Township Website and other forms of social media

3. How are you preventing addiction in the community?

Education – juvenile programs

Operation Take Back – safe and legal method for the public to dispose unwanted/unused/expired medication

Partnering with Pharmacy’s and Doctors on identifying fraudulent prescription requests consistent with criminal activity

Investigating crimes related to drug use

4. How are you getting people to treatment?

• Utilizing recovery advocates to place those suffering from addiction into a treatment center
•  Partnering with Princeton Medical Center at Plainsboro

5. Who are the recovery advocates of America?

Recovery Advocates of America is a local non-profit organization local to the area that provides addiction recovery services.

6. Who is involved with the program?

Community Addiction Recovery Effort (C.A.R.E.)  was designed by the Plainsboro Police Department at the request of the Plainsboro Township Committee.  The police, Mayor and Committee met with community leaders to discuss the need for such a program and how best to approach it.  Meetings were held with addiction recovery specialists, police officers and faith based organizations including the Princeton Alliance Church, First Presbyterian Church of Plainsboro, and the Queenship of Mary Church.  Other meetings were held with the Princeton Medical Center at Plainsboro, the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District, Recovery Advocates of America, and the Plainsboro Municipal Court Judge and Public Defender. 

7. What inspired the creation of the program?

The alarming reality of this widespread opioid epidemic has created an urgent need to work together as a community to reverse these trends.  According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 175 Americans die every day from drug overdoses.  

8. How will the program impact Plainsboro Residents?

The program will allow us to engage with the community and work together to combat the negative effects of drugs.