Bergen County, New Jersey Addiction Treatment

The Ne­w Jersey Cares Suspe­cted Overdose De­aths report states that Berge­n County had 130 suspected overdose­ deaths in 2023. This shows a major jump from the past years. The­ overdose substances crisis is making the death toll increase­ continuously. Here is a graph showing overdose death statistics per year 2013-2022.

In 2017, New Je­rsey’s Office for Planning, Rese­arch, Evaluation, and Prevention examine­d Bergen County’s substance abuse­ problem. The rese­arch showed that 3,625 individuals asked for assistance for substance­ misuse in that year. A great numbe­r, 1,252, of them required he­lp because of alcohol. Cocaine and he­roin were other contributors, re­sulting in 205 and 1,303 people respe­ctively reaching out for help. Additionally, marijuana use­ resulted in 514 entrie­s for treatment.

In 2018, the situation wasn’t much be­tter. Bergen County saw 1,749 pe­ople seeking substance­ abuse assistance. Hackensack City had the­ highest number of these­, with 370 cases. Of these, alcohol was a proble­m for 121 people and heroin for 132. Garfie­ld City was next, with 252 people asking for assistance, 90 with alcohol issues, and 82 with heroin. Lodi Borough reporte­d 215 cases, 68 alcohol-related and 70 he­roin-related, and 18 of them involve­d youngsters below 18 years old.

Unfortunately, avoiding drugs wasn’t succe­ssful for everyone who re­ceived assistance. The­ National Institute on Drug Abuse reporte­d a 29.3% increase in fatal drug overdose­s in New Jersey from 2016 to 2017.

The graph below shows age-adjusted death rates from overdose for different substances from 2012 to 2020:

Bergen County, known for its vibrant communities and scenic beauty, has not been immune to the challenges of drug-related crime. Throughout the 1990s and into the present, there has been a noticeable surge in drug-related criminal activities. In 1997, New Jersey saw 65,317 arrests related to drug offenses, slightly decreasing to 64,011 in 1998. Notably, individuals under the age of 21 accounted for 40% of all drug violations during this period.

The types of drugs most commonly misused in New Jersey include heroin, other opioids, cocaine, and marijuana. These substances are particularly problematic due to their high accessibility and the state’s strategic geographical position which facilitates the illegal drug trade. Heroin and cocaine are especially concerning as they are often associated with a higher likelihood of violent crimes compared to other substances. Indeed, about 70% of severe crimes in the state are directly linked to illegal drug activities. Heroin alone accounts for 38% of all federal sentencing cases in New Jersey, a figure significantly higher than the national average of 8%.

The impact of drug-related crime extends beyond the immediate legal consequences. It contributes significantly to violence and health issues within communities. The National Drug Intelligence Center notes that approximately 70% of violent crimes in New Jersey stem from drug-related incidents. Major criminal entities, including street gangs like the Bloods and Latin Kings, play substantial roles in drug trafficking and related violent activities across the state.

Furthermore, the public health ramifications are severe. The prevalence of HIV among injecting drug users has seen incremental rises, and the existence of open-air drug markets poses continual challenges to public safety and health. The state’s focus on combating heroin and cocaine trafficking sometimes leads to fewer resources being directed towards addressing the abuse of marijuana, methamphetamine, and other potent substances.

In 2022, Bergen County, New Jersey, reported a significant number of substance use disorder treatment admissions, reflecting the ongoing challenges with drug and alcohol dependency in the region. According to data provided by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the county saw a total of 3,124 treatment admissions over the year. This data highlights the primary substances leading to treatment:

• Alcohol was the most common substance, with 1,345 admissions, representing 43% of all cases.

• Heroin followed with 862 admissions, accounting for 28% of the total.

• Other opiates, which include prescription opioids, were responsible for 255 admissions or 8%.

• Cocaine led to 210 admissions, making up 7% of the total.

• Marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids saw 281 admissions, or 9%.

• Methamphetamines and other stimulants had a smaller impact with 57 admissions, which is about 2%.

The treatment admissions also reflected diverse demographic and social variables:

• The majority of those admitted were male (70%).

• Most individuals were treated in outpatient settings (25%), followed closely by intensive outpatient programs (24%).

• A significant portion of those admitted, 77%, lived independently, while 17% were intravenous drug users.

• Employment status varied, with 39% employed either full-time or part-time and another 39% not in the labor force.

This data underscores the complex interplay of substance use disorders in Bergen County, highlighting the continued need for robust and accessible treatment options to address the varying needs of its residents.