Mercer County Overdose Surveillance System (MOSS)
This system tracks hospital and ambulance overdose data to look for unexpected increases, known as “spikes.” If a spike is indicated by Epi-Center, an alert will be sent by MOSS. These alerts will give as much detail as possible to help prevent overdose deaths. See below for the links to the latest MOSS spike alerts.
What can cause a spike?
- A change in the local drug supply may cause a spike.
- The contamination of very strong opioids being mixed into all types of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, counterfeit or fake prescription pills, methamphetamines, and cannabis, also may cause a spike.
Who should sign up for Overdose Spike Alerts?
- People who use drugs
- Friends and family of people who use drugs
- Service providers
What should you do if there is an overdose spike?
For people who use drugs
Take steps for safer drug use:
- Test all drugs for fentanyl before using.
- Carry Narcan® (naloxone).
- Get safer use supplies, including naloxone, from your local pharmacy and fentanyl test
strips from harm reduction center Hyacinth AIDS Foundation. - Avoid using street drugs alone; call Never Use Alone at 877-696-1996.
For everyone in our community
Recognize the signs of an overdose:
- Pale, sweaty or clammy skin
- Lips/fingertips turn blue
- Slow or irregular breathing: gasping, gurgling, or snoring
- Difficult or unable to wake
Always call 911 if you suspect someone is overdosing.
Resources
Medication Assisted Treatment Resources
https://www.mercercounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/19963/638290022020030000
Full Mercer County Resource Directory
https://www.mercercounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/14797/638090253378900000
Hyacinth Foundation
The Hyacinth Foundation offers Syringe Access Programs (SAP), which are community-based programs that provide access to sterile syringes, needles, and other injection equipment and facilitate safe disposal of used needles and syringes. Syringe Access Programs provide a comprehensive approach to harm reduction by integrating behavioral interventions and access to services to prevent and reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases. In addition to Syringe Access Programs, Hyacinth provides free and confidential health services, including naloxone training and distribution.
Narcan (naloxone) Opioid Antidote Training
The New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services provides an instructional
video on the use of Narcan (naloxone) for those looking to learn how to help overdose victims.
The site also provides information on free, in-person trainings on how to use Narcan.
Additional resources for Narcan (naloxone)
Pharmacies throughout New Jersey, many of which are in Mercer County, offer free naloxone.
Naloxone365: NJ Free Naloxone at Pharmacies Program | NJOIT Open Data Center
Mercer County Library System
Narcan Training and NJ Naloxone Distribution – Mercer County Library System (mcl.org)
Helplines
NJ’S 24/7 ADDICTION HELPLINE 1-844-732-2465
If you are having thoughts of suicide
If you need mental health-related crisis support
If you are worried about someone else
Please call or text 988
or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline chat
to connect with a trained crisis counselor
ADDICTION HELPLINE
thoughts of suicide
health-related
crisis support
someone else
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
