Office of Alternative and Community Responses (OACR)
Tiffany Wilson, Director
The Office of Alternative and Community Responses (OACR) is coordinating the Department of Law and Public Safety’s efforts to address how the Department and New Jersey’s law enforcement agencies respond to the country’s continued mental health and addiction crises. Law enforcement is often the first in the community to see the impact of these crises and the first to be asked to address them, often without the appropriate resources to do so. Traditional law enforcement responses and tools such as arrest, prosecution, and incarceration have proven inadequate in addressing the complexities of substance use disorder and mental health emergencies, often burdening frontline police officers and failing to provide effective solutions for the individual or the community impacted. This lack of success has underscored the need for alternative and coordinated strategies and solutions.
Operating within the Department of Law and Public Safety, OACR supports, coordinates, and creates strategies and collaborations aimed at enhancing public health and safety outcomes in situations where public health and public safety intersect. OACR is working to create a safer and healthier New Jersey for all by incorporating mental and behavioral health interventions, implementing innovative approaches, collaborating with communities, and promoting the well-being of law enforcement officers.
DIRECTIVE 2024-01
AG Directive 2024-01 | March 13, 2024
Directive Creating the Office of Alternative and Community Responses
PROGRAMS
PRESS RELEASES
NJ CARES Urges Public to Join the Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse by Tossing Unwanted Medicines During Annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 26th
This Year, the Collection Effort is Expanded to Include Electronic Vaping Devices For Immediate Release: October 24, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General NJ CARESSharon Joyce, DirectorDivision of Consumer AffairsPaul R....
State Board of Medical Examiners Permanently Bars Ocean County Doctor from Prescribing Controlled Substances Following His Conviction on Charges of Illegal Distribution of Opioid Painkille
For Immediate Release: October 4, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney GeneralNJ Cares- Sharon Joyce, DirectorDivision of Consumer Affairs- Paul R. Rodríguez, Acting Director For Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lisa...
As Purdue, Sacklers Seek to Block NJ’s Opioid Suit Citing Bankruptcy, AG Grewal Demands Documents from Sackler Family, Related Entities
For Immediate Release: September 20, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Andrew J. Bruck, Acting Attorney GeneralDivision of Law- Michelle Miller, Director For Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lee Moore609-292-4791 Citizen Inquiries-609-984-5828 TRENTON –...
NJ CARES and NJSIAA Announce Partnership to Educate High School Athletes on Addiction Risks Associated with Sports Injuries and Opioid Use
“Athletes vs Opioids” Required Viewing for Student Athletes, Parents Under NJSIAA RuleFor Immediate Release: September 13, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney GeneralDivision of Consumer Affairs- Paul Rodríguez, Acting DirectorNJ Cares-...
Attorney General Grewal, NJ CARES Announce $2.2 Million in State Funding to Expand, Enhance “Operation Helping Hand” Programs in Counties Across the State
For Immediate Release: June 20, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney GeneralNJ CARES- Sharon M. Joyce, Director For Further Information: Media Inquiries-Lisa Coryell609-292-4791Citizen Inquiries-609-984-5828 TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir...
Salem County Drug Dealer Sentenced to 25 Years in State Prison Following Conviction at Trial on First-Degree Cocaine Charge
For Immediate Release: June 7, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney GeneralDivision of Criminal JusticeVeronica Allende, DirectorFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Peter Aseltine609-292-4791Citizen Inquiries-609-984-5828TRENTON -...
Indictment in “Operation Stone Wall” Charges Nine Alleged Members of Ring that Trafficked Untraceable “Ghost Gun” Assault Rifles & Cocaine
Division of Criminal Justice and New Jersey State Police filed first-ever charges in trafficking case under new law making it a crime to possess or distribute ghost guns in New JerseyFor Immediate Release: June 5, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal,...
AG Grewal Sues Eight Sackler Family Members; Alleges Their Greed-Driven Campaign to Boost Purdue Pharma Sales Triggered Opioid Crisis
Complaint: Board-Controlling Sacklers’ Misconduct Continued After Prior Federal Criminal Case;They Used Bad Science, Marketing Lies to Chart New But Still Crooked Opioid Sales CourseFor Immediate Release: May 30, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal,...
Drug Dealer Sentenced to 13 Years in State Prison as a Result of Two Separate Arrests During Which Police Seized Drugs and a Handgun
For Immediate Release: May 17, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney GeneralDivision of Criminal JusticeVeronica Allende, DirectorFor Further Information: Media Inquiries-Peter Aseltine609-292-4791Citizen Inquiries-609-984-5828TRENTON –...
AG Grewal, Division of Consumer Affairs Announce Three Rulemaking Actions Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
Rulemakings Focus on Prevention, Education, and TreatmentFor Immediate Release: May 6, 2019 Office of The Attorney General- Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney GeneralDivision of Consumer Affairs- Paul R. Rodríguez, Acting DirectorNJCares- Sharon M. Joyce, DirectorFor...