Cooper University Health Care’s Center for Healing Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD)

On this International Overdose Awareness Day, Cooper University Health Care's Center for Healing joins the global community in raising awareness about overdose, honoring the lives lost, and acknowledging the grief of affected families and friends. Overdoses are preventable, and through education, support, medical treatment and compassionate care, we can make a significant impact.

The Center for Healing provides innovative, evidence based, compassionate care for patients with substance use disorders (SUD), complex pain, trauma, and psychiatric disorders on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Our interdisciplinary clinical team, including behavioral health and addiction focused clinicians, nurses, and navigator specialists, offers comprehensive services within a biopsychosocial model, addressing social determinants of health (SDOH).

Locally, the fight against the opioid and overdose epidemic began in 2014 with the formation of the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force. The Center for Healing was a founding member of this task force, which includes students, parents, teachers, civic organizations, medical professionals, public health providers, law enforcement, and religious leaders. The Task Force's goals are to increase awareness of opioid abuse and addiction, reduce demand for these substances, share evidence-based best practices, and promote and develop resources to treat and prevent opioid addiction.

Camden efforts have yielded positive results. The NJ ROIC-Drug Monitoring Initiative's report for the first half of 2024 revealed a 39% drop in overdose deaths in Camden County compared to last year.

"This news is significant as elected officials, local and regional health systems, non-profit organizations, and community groups have been working collaboratively to address substance use disorders in our community," said Rachel Haroz, MD, head of Cooper's Center for Healing. "At our Center for Healing, we have developed an integrative, evidence-based, multi-disciplinary program to meet people where they are and provide the help they need. A 39% reduction in mortality is a testament to this work and highlights the importance of continued collaboration and diligence in our efforts."

As we recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, Cooper University Health Care and the Center for Healing reaffirm their commitment to combating the overdose epidemic through comprehensive care, community collaboration and research. The significant reduction in overdose deaths in Camden County underscores the power of collective action and evidence-based interventions.

We remain dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by substance use disorders and continuing our work with community partners to create lasting, positive change. Together, we can prevent overdoses, save lives, and build a healthier future for all.

Cooper's Center for Healing

Facts at Glance

Number of patients served

• 22,900 appointment visits in 2023,
• 16,498 Jan-Jun 2024
• 2,600 total unique patients
• 1,135 New patient visits in 2023
• 2,447 -Inpatient consults 20237
• 1,445 - Inpatient consults 2024 Jan-June

Range of Services include:

• Inpatient SUD consultation
• Outpatient SUD consultation
• Emergency department evaluations, engagement, initiation of care and referrals to inpatient and outpatient via physicians, APPs and SUD navigators
• EMS engagement and initiation of buprenorphine after overdose
• Empowering Mothers to Parent and Overcome with Resilience (EMPOWR) for pregnant and parenting women struggling with substance use and SUD
• Full coverage services for SUD and mental health for uninsured and underinsured people, including people experiencing undocumentation
• Psychiatry and Behavioral Health appointments and care
• Patient navigation services to address various social determinants of health
• Same day appointments through Walk-In clinic
• Telehealth services
• Counseling services

Number of providers/specialties: 25 physicians, 7 APPs, 5 counselor/therapists

SUD navigators in:

• Inpatient consult service
• Emergency department
• Walk in clinic
• Outpatient clinics

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