NJ Spotlight published the following article on March 10, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
EXPERTS SAY OPIOIDS ARE AS AVAILABLE IN SUBURBS AS THEY ARE IN CITIES
ANDREW KITCHENMAN | MARCH 10, 2014
New Jersey drug-prevention and law-enforcement officials who deal with the growing use of heroin and other opioids say they are now as available in the suburbs as in cities.
That was part of the message at the recent annual New Jersey Prevention Network conference in Atlantic City, a gathering of professionals who work to prevent addiction.
The ready access to these drugs is reflected in the list of the 10 towns in 2012 with the most heroin and other opioid-abuse cases. Listed in descending order according to the number of cases, they are Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Atlantic City, Camden, Brick, Elizabeth, Toms River, Vineland, and Trenton.
“Heroin is as easy to obtain in Ocean County as it is in cities,” said Douglas Collier, drug initiative coordinator for the state attorney general’s office, who made a presentation that included in the list.
Collier said roughly one person is dying each day in the state from a heroin or other opioid overdose.