Sunrise House & C.L.E.A.R Announce Expansion of Program Helping People Recover from Addiction

LAFAYETTE, N.J., Jan. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when Sussex County is facing an opioid epidemic, Sunrise House Treatment Center and the Sussex County Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery (C.L.E.A.R.) Program announced Thursday, January 18, that the program is expanding to help even more people with substance use disorder and addiction find recovery. The expansion includes the addition of several new police departments to serve as intake locations and more scholarships for those who can't afford treatment.

The C.L.E.A.R. Program provides a safe place for individuals to gain access to recovery services and turn in illegal drugs or paraphernalia without fear of arrest or prosecution. This innovative and collaborative approach by law enforcement and recovery specialists offers a proactive solution to address the public health and public safety issue of substance use.

Since launching the program in July of 2016, 43 family members and 58 people with substance use disorder have been connected with trained Recovery Coaches, of which 41 entered the program by walking through the doors of a participating police department. Forty-eight of those individuals seeking assistance have been connected to professional treatment despite lack of insurance coverage or financial resources.

Fred Trapassi, CEO of Sunrise House, was joined by New Jersey legislators, police officers, the C.L.E.A.R. Steering Committee members and other concerned community members when he announced that his facility would be increasing the 5 scholarships currently provided to 15. The scholarships will provide 30 days of treatment for each recipient, with a combined 450 days of free treatment being provided to the New Jersey community every year.

"Overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in our state," said Trapassi. "By increasing the number of scholarships available to the C.L.E.A.R Program, we aim to directly impact the opioid crisis that is impacting our community."

Mike Richards, Chief of Police at the Newton Police Department, also announced that the C.L.E.A.R. Program would be expanding to eight participating police departments. These intake locations now include:  

• Andover Township Police - 145 Lake Iliff Road, Newton, NJ 07860
• Byram Township Police - 10 Mansfield Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874
• Franklin Borough Police - 15 Corkhill Road, Franklin, NJ 07416
• Hardyston Township Police - 149 Wheatsworth Road, Hardyston, 07419
• Newton Police - 39 Trinity Street, Newton, NJ 07860
• Ogdensburg Borough Police - 14 Highland Avenue, Ogdensburg, NJ 07439
• Sparta Township Police - 65 Main Street, Sparta, NJ 07871
• Vernon Township Police - 21 Church Street, Vernon, NJ 07462

Becky Carlson, Executive Director at the Center for Prevention and Counseling, shared news of the expansion of a current state grant they manage that will assist CLEAR participants along with the providing the latest details on the numbers served by C.L.E.A.R. in Sussex County.

Former NJ Governor Chris Christie also received a special award from C.L.E.A.R. for his efforts in combating the opioid epidemic on a state level, where he worked to increase funding and resources for those with substance use disorders, including ReachNJ.

Other speakers at the event included: Francis Koch, Prosecutor at the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office; Senator Steven V. Oroho; Freeholder Sylvia Petillo; Bianca Madzarova, Project Specialist from NJ Senator Cory Booker's office; Michael Cartwright, CEO of American Addiction Centers; and Kaitlyn Krakowiak, C.L.E.A.R Recovery Coach.

About C.L.E.A.R (Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery)
The Sussex County C.L.E.A.R. Program is a collaborative initiative offering free recovery coaching, improved access to treatment and family support for people with addiction. There are eight participating police departments where adults seeking recovery from substance use disorders can walk in and ask for help. For more information, go to www.clearprogram.org or call the toll free number at 1-844-SC-CLEAR (1-844-722-5327) because now is the best time to ask for help! Hope begins here.

About Sunrise House Treatment Center
Sunrise House Treatment Center is an American Addiction Centers (NYSE: AAC) facility. AAC is a leading provider of inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment services. We treat clients who are struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and co-occurring mental/behavioral health issues. We currently operate substance abuse treatment facilities located throughout the United States. These facilities are focused on delivering effective clinical care and treatment solutions. For more information, follow us on Twitter @AAC_Tweet.

Media Contact:
Jessica Kantor 
(702) 250-1786
[email protected]

SOURCE Sunrise House Treatment Center