February 24, 2019 In The News, Media

Project HOPE in Camden receives $1.8M grant to help combat opioid epidemic

KYW News Radio
February 24, 2019

Project HOPE in Camden, New Jersey is getting a $1.8 million grant to expand services for people battling opioid addiction.

About 5,000 people a year rely on Project HOPE for various services, from primary care to addiction counseling. CEO Patricia DeShields says their mission is to help the homeless, but anyone is welcome.

“We serve everyone,” DeShields said, “regardless of their ability to pay.”

A big part of what they do focuses on drug addition. Doctors must get special waivers to prescribe medication to anyone with substance abuse disorder, and there are limits on the amount of people each doctor can treat at any one time.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lynda Bascelli is looking forward to ramping up all of their efforts.

“And what that means is more social workers, more medical providers, who can get the waiver to prescribe,” Bascelli said. “And that grant really serves us well.”

The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with an assist from Congressman Donald Norcross.

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