A survey conducted last year by the health department’s Tobacco Unit revealed that 47 percent of restaurants in Bergen County are smoke-free. Similar surveys were conducted statewide. Bergen County generated an 87 percent response rate from 1,800 restaurants, the highest rate among all counties.

The Tobacco Unit is housed within the Office of Alcohol and Drug Dependency (OADD), which is responsible for planning, monitoring and funding programs that provide prevention, treatment and educational services to Bergen County residents with alcohol and/or drug problems.

The OADD receives an annual grant from the N.J. Division of Addiction Services, which is part of the N.J. Department of Health and Senior Services. The grant is divided into smaller sub-grants providing substance abuse prevention, treatment and educational programs in Bergen County.

OADD staff provides direct monitoring of its programs and services to ensure Bergen County residents receive quality care. In addition, the professional staff offers referrals to appropriate substance abuse or mental health treatment, both public and private.

The OADD supports two direct service programs, Spring House and the Addiction Recovery Program. Spring House is a 34-bed halfway house for adult women located on the grounds of Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus. The Addiction Recovery Program is a 32-week outpatient substance abuse program located in Hackensack.

Other programs funded through the OADD include community mental health centers and an information and referral hot line at (800) 322-5525.