Operation RISE (Recovery, Initiative, Support, and Engagement) - Operation RISE (Recovery, Initiative, Support, and Engagement) is a statewide, data-driven initiative led by the New Jersey State Police to reduce overdose deaths through collaborative expansion of access to opioid overdose reversal medications (OORMs) with stakeholder partnerships, trainings for education, capacity building of workforce development, connecting individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) to appropriate levels of care, and continuous supportive recovery services. The program is uniquely developed with the intelligence capacity to identify high-risk individuals and communities in combination with outreach teams that receive specialized training. Law enforcement personnel and seasoned recovery specialists allow for enhanced comprehensive efforts for program operations. Operation RISE strengthens prevention and post-overdose engagement, improving public health and safety across New Jersey. Led by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) through the Drug Monitoring and Analysis Unit (DMAU), the program builds on prior funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the First Responders - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (FR-CARA) that is ending on September 30, 2026. Originally launched as a regional pilot, Operation RISE has expanded statewide and seeks continued funding to sustain and enhance its comprehensive impact in prevention strengthening public safety and health outcomes. In 2025, an estimated 1.2 million New Jersey residents aged 12 or older were affected by SUD, including 100,000 individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). Operation RISE serves all sectors such as; first responders, healthcare, faith based, school systems, and individuals and families affected by SUD, including those at high risk of overdose, individuals of all ages with opioid and polysubstance use disorders, justice-involved populations, unhoused individuals, and impacted communities. Evidence-based core strategies include post-overdose follow-up, proactive outreach, professional and community education and partnerships, and OORMs distribution. These efforts improve access to services and address gaps in treatment access and continuum support improving treatment engagement. The goals of this project are in support of SAMHSA's strategic priorities to reduce overdose incidents and fatalities by expanding overdose education training and distribution of OORMs, capacity building of partners and the workforce, and increasing access to care. Throughout the previous 4-year program, Operation RISE demonstrated evidence-based practices and a measurable statewide impact by conducting 1,741outreach engagements, serving 32,319 individuals for training and access care, and distributed 687,128 doses of OORMs statewide. Award for 2026 funding will allow for assurance to meet measurable objectives and continue to reduce overdose incidents and fatalities, increase access to treatment and recovery services, expand training and education, enhance community awareness and partnerships, and reduce stigma. Objectives include serving a minimum of 5,000 individuals annually with FR-CARA funding, targeted outreach, training, maintaining high levels of OORMs distribution.
