the current administration than keeping the people of Washington Township safe. 

Washington Township ranked among the worst 30% of New Jersey municipalities for addiction per capita during the height of the opioid crisis. In 2019, it recorded 5.78 cases per 1,000 people and 5.36 in 2021.

Gibson was appalled at the township's inaction.

3 Flock cameras are popping up around dozens of New Jersey communities, paid for by opioid settlement money. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

 I can't see how there's been no response or action taken to address that,  Gibson told NJ.com.

 Inaction at the level of the state is permission. 

The township claimed it spent $134,321 on a middle school  narcotics and education  program in 2024, followed by another $36,125 in 2025 earmarked for  early prevention. 

 These folks … they're responsible for our tax dollars,  said resident Joe Junfola.

3 A person sits at a table with a syringe on Sunday, May 26, 2019. ÿ˿ÿ»ÿſÿ¿ ÿŸÿ¾ÿ´ÿ¾ÿ¿ÿ⿬ÿ¸ÿ³ÿ¾ÿ⿬ÿ¾ÿ² - stock.adobe.com

 To the extent that they get grants, such as the opioid funds, they're tasked with using that money responsibly. 

Former Mayor Laurie Burns, a Democrat, slammed the town's current Republican leadership for playing politics - and trying to  wash their hands  of the controversy.

 It's a joke that the Washington Township's Republican Mayor and Council would now try to wash their hands of decisions they made and point the finger elsewhere,  she wrote in an email.

 They did it, and they have a responsibility to answer for it now.