CLAY HILL – There is a drug-fueled homeless camp in the wood area behind the Grande Olde Plaza and another across the street at County Road 218 and Blanding Boulevard.

The Clay County Fire Rescue’s Community Paramedicine office is between the two areas at 2710 Blanding Blvd., Suite 8. There are no questions, no judgments. Just help. If residents are addicted to opioids, Paramedicine, Clay Behavioral Health Center and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office’s Overdose Data to Action Program won’t stop trying to fight the scourge.

Particularly through its Hammer and Hope program, the sheriff’s office works to put dealers and distributors in jail. At the same time, Clay Behavioral offers programs to help those battling addiction, including family members who live with an addict, find a cleaner future.

But it’s up to the Fire and Rescue to reduce overdoses – and death.

Since its inception in early 2021, nearly 1,100 Narcan nasal sprays have been distributed to reverse the effects of an overdose. Fire Rescue also has taught more than 300 classes on administering life-saving treatment.

The Paramedicine program has expanded to include a 24-hour response team. Anytime an overdose is reported, someone trained in opioid abuse will respond. If the person is already transported to an emergency room, the team responds to the hospital.

The purpose is to identify addicts and administer quicker relief.

“The program has been very successful,” said Fire Rescue Lt. Joe Hutchins. “We try to help anyone with a problem. We have a truck that responds 24 hours a day. It works because of our partnerships.”

Narcan is an easy-to-use spray that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, according to Chief Lorin Mock. More importantly, there are no side effects if used in a non-opioid episode.

The county offers Narcan to county residents. non-opioid addiction, we’ll help them get the help they need,” Hutchins said.

To be part of the Overdose Data to Action Program, a person must be addicted to an opioid, be a county resident, agree to meet for Medication Assisted Therapy, not receive Methadone and be at least 18. Outpatient care includes follow-up calls every three months for a year.

The county’s program has become a model for other municipalities, said Paramedicine Administrative Assistant Morgan Pinchin.

She said the greatest concentration of overdose calls come from the 32068 zip code – a large portion of Middleburg, including the two drug-riddled homeless camps.

“We’ve identified 26 homeless camps in the county,” Pinchin said. “We’re still learning as we go, but we’ve seen a lot of success. The number of overdoses has reduced since we started this program.”

The law enforcement side of the program also has intensified. Just this week, Jeffery W. Bierman, 40, of Orange Park, was charged with trafficking 54.8 grams of cocaine near the Orange Park Mall.

The community can attend the next Hammer and Hope event on May 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Church of Eleven22, 317 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park.

Agencies fighting drug abuse will provide information on both treatment and how to deal with a family member struggling with addiction, as well as other programs. Of course, free Narcan will be available. According to CCSO, more than 20 community service providers will be at Hammer and Hope to support individuals struggling with drug addiction and their families and friends. The agency understands addiction affects people from all walks of life, and that’s why it’s committed to offering a range of services to help those in need.

“We may not be able to solve all the problems in the world, but we can make a difference, one person at a time,” the agency said. Anyone who needs information about Community Paramedicine can call (904) 284-7703, 24 hours a day, or email community.paramedicine@claycountygov.com.