Heroin Addiction in the New Jersey Suburbs

Troubling Heroin Addiction Prevalence in Suburban New Jersey

Heroin Addiction in the New Jersey Suburbs

Heroin Addiction in the New Jersey Suburbs

Troubling Heroin Addiction Prevalence in Suburban New Jersey

People living in New Jersey are being crushed beneath the weight of opioid addiction. And the problem isn’t limited to isolated urban areas either. Heroin addiction and prescription opiate abuse have spread across all demographics in recent years, enveloping affluent suburbs and remote rural areas alike in their grasp. Young people are especially at risk. Between 2004 and 2014, nearly half of the 53 heroin and opiate deaths in the Williamstown area involved people less than 30 years old.

Troubling Heroin Addiction Statistics From Suburban New Jersey

In Gloucester County, a large suburban area of New Jersey, 17.3 deaths per capita were attributed to heroin in 2014. This is more than six times the national average. Gloucester County came in fourth for deaths caused by heroin addiction, only eclipsed by Atlantic, Camden and Cape May counties. Between 2004 and 2014, Gloucester County cities and towns have struggled with high rates of overdose mortality:

  • Washington Township: 23 deaths
  • Glassboro: 11 deaths
  • Deptford: 18 deaths
  • Newfield: 4 deaths

This is just a small sample—the data is made even more disturbing by the relatively small population counts of these areas.

Communities Taking Action to Fight Heroin Addiction

Following the discovery of her son’s struggle with heroin, Michele Perez got involved in the Monroe Township Municipal Alliance Commission. The commission is an excellent example of local individuals taking action to raise awareness about the heroin problem and make their voices heard by political entities that can help.

Perez hopes to raise awareness and let people know that addiction needs to be discussed openly by families and communities. Another effort to open up the conversation has been started by Gloucester County Sergeant Danielle LoRusso: the GCPO Opiate Initiative. This program provides in-depth education on drug addiction to young people in the Gloucester County school system.

A Lasting Recovery Is Possible With the Right Help

When people are suffering from heroin addiction, they may feel too ashamed to speak up and ask for help. Once they summon the courage, they may not know where to turn for fear of prosecution or negative stigma. They may try unsuccessfully to quit on their own, which can be extremely dangerous. Call or chat with Recovery Connection today to find out how to get help. We’ll help answer any questions you might have, such as:

  • What kind of treatment is available?
  • What kind of heroin rehab do I need?
  • What happens after detox?

Making the journey from addiction to recovery is a difficult process. The chances of success are greatly increased by working with professional detox and rehab programs. With the right help, it’s possible to get clean and stay in recovery. Recovery Connection is here to help you find the rehab center that’s right for your unique needs. Call us today at 800-993-3869.