CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland warned the public Saturday of an upsurge of drug overdoses in the county.
Within a 24-hour period between June 11 and June 12, there were five drug-related overdoses, one fatal.
Based on the preliminary investigation, it is not confirmed if there is a connection between the five overdoses, according to Sutherland, who warned that in the county law enforcement is seeing adulteration of the street drug supply, specifically suspected heroin and fentanyl, where the overall toxicity is unknown and potentially lethal.
The Cape May County Forensic Laboratory is being used to analyze the controlled dangerous substances that are seized from these investigations. According to Sutherland, having a local laboratory within the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office can speed up the time it takes to identify the illegal substances.
In an effort to educate the members of the community, curtail the opiate epidemic, and reduce drug-related crimes in the county, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office deploys the Hope One Mobile Unit weekly into local communities. The Hope One Mobile Unit brings addiction and recovery services and other resources to the community.
If you or someone you know needs recovery support, Hope One’s 24/7 hotline is (609) 522-4375.
Sutherland said the Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force is working diligently with all of the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to target distributors of these illegal substances to prevent further overdoses. He urges families to educate their children and loved ones as to the dangers of such illegal drugs and to continue to report any information regarding illegal drug activity and or any criminal activity within the community. This information can be reported to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 465-1135 or anonymously through the Prosecutor’s Office website at cmcpo.tips.